A  Wheel  in  the  MJ^DLF,  OF  A 

OR, 
The  HARMONY  and CONNEXION  of 

the  various  Afts  of  DIVINR  P|l  O  V  I  D:fe  N  C  E. 


A 


SERMON 


Delivered  before  the  fecond  Rev.  PRES- 
BYTERY or  NEW-CASTLE,  and  their  CORRESPON- 
DENTS, met  at  WHITE-CLAY-CREEK,  January  2d, 
'7S9' 


By    ROBERT    SMITH, 

Minifter  of  the  Gofpel  at  PEQ.UEA. 


Publiflied  at.  the  Requeft'of  the  Hearers, 


PHIL  ADELPHI  As 

Printed  by  W.  D.UNLAP,  at  the  Nevveft-Printmg. Office, 

MDCCLIX, 


p  PI 
547 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


GIFT  OF 

Lewis  F,  Lengfeld 


A  Wheel  in  the  Middle  of  a  Wheel, 

; 

A 

SERMON, 


Ezekiel,  i,   16.     ffheir  Appearance  and  tbeir  Work  was 
as  it  were  a  WHEEL  IN  <IHE  MIDDLE  OF  A 


Y  the  Vifion  of  Wheels,  and  living  Creatures 
in  this  Chapter,  Gondifcovered  to  E&kiel 
?,  particularly  refpeding  the 
>,  together  with  the  Minifers  of  it. 
The  Minifters  of  divine  Providence,  are  the  4nge1st 
thofe  bright  Intelligences  of  Glory,  who  are  faid  to 
be  four  inNumber(<0,  probably  anfwering  to  the  four 
Wheels  of  a  Chariot,  the  Appearance  of  which  is fup- 
pofcd  in  thisVifion(6).  They  are  reprefcnted  as  hav- 
ing 

(a)  Verfe,  5. 

(b)  In  the  ("acred  Oracles,  Angels  are  frequently  called  CHERU- 
RJM,  which  Term  has  a  near  Affinity  withREHUBIM  thatfigni- 
fies  CHARIOTS.     Now  Chariots  being  the  Honor,  Defence,  and 
Military  Strength  of  a  Nation,  and  often  ufed  to  humble  haughty  In- 
vadors  :  and  as  in  this  Vifion  we  have  reprefented  the  Chuiches 

Glory 


ing  the  Face  of  a  Man,  to  denote  their  Wifdom  and  Sa- 
gacity ;  the  Face  of  a  Lion,  to  denote  their  Strength  ; 
the  .Fdce  of  an  Ox,  to  denote  their  Diligence  in  Bufinefs, 
and  the  Face  of  an  Eagle,  to  denote  their  Sttllimenefs . 
The  #.*»<fr  o/  <*^/*»  afcribed  to  them,  may  fignify  their 
Facility  in  doing  their  Work.  Their  Feet  were 
Kraight,  not  weakly,  bending  to  this  Side  or  that,  but 
with  unconquered  Firmnefs,  proceeding  to  fulfil  their 
Million  ;  the  Sole  of  which  was  like  the  Sole  of  a  Calfs 
Foot,  pointing  out  their  Purity,  perhaps,  as  under  the 
Law,  the  Ox  dividing  the  Hoof,  was  clean.  They 
had  the  Appearance  of  Lamps,  and  burning  Coals  of  Fire, 
their  'Fettfparkled  like  Brafs,  and  they  ran  as  a  F/ajh  of 
Lightning,  to  teach  us  their  48'ivity,  their  Brightneff, 
and  their  faming  Zeal  for  GOD.  By  their  Wings  we 
are  taught  their  Speed  in  executing  divine  Orders  ;  their 
Readinefs  to  obey,  and  Concord,  by  their  Wings  ftretcbed 
up,  and  joining  to  each  other.  As  with  two  lifted  up  they 
were  ready  to  fly,  fo  with  two  they  covered  their  Bodies, 
cither  to  intimate  Reverence  and  Decency,  or  to  conceal 
themfelves  and  their  Ads,  the  overpowering  Splendor 
of  which,  is  too  glorious  for  our  feeble  Sight.  Each 
of  the  living  Creatures  had  four  Wings  and  four  Focest 
confequently  they  ftood  in  equal  Direction  to  every 
Quarter  of  the  Earth,  ready  co  proceed  where  ve  r  they 
were  commanded.  They  wentjiraight  forward,  and 
turned  not  when  they  went,  by  which  it  appears,  that 
they  feadily  profecute  their  Cottrfe,  till  they  do  the 

Errand 

Glory  and  Safety,  Chaftifement  and  Deliverance  from  Calamity,  by 
the  Providence  of  GOD  conduced  by  Angels ;  I  therefore  conclude, 
that,  moft  probably,  the  Angels  are  her«  likened  to  liviflg  Creature? 
yoaked  in  a  Chariot. 


C    7    3 

Errand  on  which  they  are  fent,  and  in  the  Difcharge 
of  their  Truft,  they  obferve  divine  Directions  ;  for  wbe~ 
tberfoever  the  Spirit  was  to  go,  they  went. 

THUS  we  RrAthefeMniflersofGODj  arecompleat- 
ly  qualified  to  tranfact  the  grand  important  Affairs 
committed  to  them.  How  they  do  their  Work,  we 
cannot  tell,  becaufe  of  our  fmall  Acquaintance  with 
the  World  of  Spirits.  It  is  of  more  Importance  for 
us  to  know  the  glorious  Scene  they  A&>  or  divine  Provi- 
dence of  which  they  are  the  Minifters.  Now  this  is  re- 
prefenred  by  ONE  WHEEL  Standing  by  the  LIVING 
CRE47[/RES(c\  i.  e.  cne  Standing  by  each  of  the 
four  living  Creatures  ;  for  the  Wheels  are  four  in 
Number(df).  And  perhaps  one  only  is  mentioned  here, 
to  teach  us,  that  the  Scene  of  Providence  is  but  ONEt 
tho*  its  Acts  and  Caufes  are  many.  In  Colour  they 
were  like  Beryl,  i.  e.  a  Sea-green,  which  either  re- 
fpscts  the  fluctuating  Nature  of  external  Difpenfations, 
or  rather  the  iritrinfic  Beauty  and  Vigor  of  the  Church, 
to  which  the  Wheels  have  a  fpecial  Direction.  They 
had  ALL  ONE  LIKENESS,  to  fliew  the  exa&  Agree- 
went  fubfifting  between  the  various  A8$  of  divine  Provi- 
dence, which  are  all  framed  and  direfted  by  the  fame 
exquiftte 


THEN  we  are  informed  in  the  Words  of  my  Text, 
that  tbeir  Appearance  and  tleir  Ufork  was  as  it  were  a 
WHEEL  7N  THE  MIDDLE  OF  J  WHEEL.  Some 
fuppofe  the  Prophet  here  alludes  to  the  Wheels  of  a 

Ifttcb 

(c)  Vcrfc,  15.  (d)  Verfe,  18. 


C    8    3 

or  Clock,  which  in  their  various  Movements 
concur,  and  mutually  aflift  each  other  in  promoting  the 
Defgn  of  the  Machine.  But  it  appears  more  probable 
to  me,  that  the  Figure  is  borrowed  from  the  Wheels  of 
a  Chariot,  which  are  either  of  a  circular  Form,  alefler 
one  being  contained  within  a  greater  ;  or  rather  of  a 
fpherical  Figure,  two  Wheels  croffing  and  interfering 
each  other  at  oppofite  Points,  the  four  Semi-circles  of 
which,  compofe  the  four  Sides,  and  the  four  Faces  of 
the  Wheels  mentioned  Verfe  17.  Thus  have  weaFigure 
exactly  reprefeming  the  Ideas  the  Spirit  of  GOD  feems 
here  to  teach  us,  viz.  that  the  various  Caufes  in,  and 
48s  of  divine  Providence,  alike  eafily  affed:  all  Places 
where  GOD  has  Work  to  do,  zn&fweetly  concur  in  effec- 
ting the  Defgns  of  Heaven,  how  different  foever  their  Di- 
rections are ;  for  the  Wheels  are  connected  together  ;'i 
fuch  a  Manner,  as  to  form  a  Globe,  or  Sphere,  with/0#»" 
Sides  and  four  Faces,  anfwering  to  the  four  Wings  and 
four  Faces  of  the  living  Creatures,  which  look  to  the 
four  Quarters  of  the  Earth  ;  and  can  therefore  as  readi- 
ly move  to  one  Place  as  to  another,  without  the  diffi- 
cult, tedious  Work  of  turning  round,  that  (when  the 
Courfe  is  changed)  circular  Wheels  are  oblidged  to. 

DOCT.  THO*  the  luflrurnents,  and  ^Bs  of  divine 
Providence,  have  various  tendencies  and  Directions,  and 
may  feem  to  interfere  with  each  other,  yet  a  beautiful  Con- 
nexion and  Harmony  /ubfifi  between  them,  in  accompUfiing 
GO D*s  glorious  Defgns  towards  the  World  in  general,  and 
the  Church  in  particular. 


THAT 


r  9  3 

THAT  DIFINE  PRQFWEKCE  fuperintends  the 
whole  Creation,  muft  be  granted  by  all  that  credit  the 
Scripture.  His  Kingdom  rule  s  over  d//(e).  The  Hea- 
vens and  the  Earth,  with  their  various  H  ,fts,  all  obey 
the  Commandof  their  Afaker(f)-  He  obferves  the  moft 
minute  Affairs  ;  for  the  very  Hairs  of  our  Head  are  all 
numbered  ;  nor  fliali  zfngle  Sparrow  fall  to  the  Ground 
without  his 


THE  regular  Conduit  of  the  inanimate  World,  and 
the  various  ^Tribes  of  Infefis,  proves  a  Providence  .  By 
the  imprefs  of  the  divine  Hand,  univerfal  Syltems  ex- 
off  ly  perform  their  various  Revolutions  .  The  litile  Ant 
•without  Intelligence,  lays  up  Winter  Stores  in  Summer, 
and  the  diligent  Bee  builds  her  an  Houfe,  unequalled 
by  the  skill  of  the  voifef  4rcl>ite8t  ©r  Mathematician. 

No  other  Caufe  can  be  affigncd  for  preternatural  Ef- 
feSs.  The  Lions  devoured  Daniel's  Perfecutcrs  be- 
fore they  reached  the  Bottom  of  the  Den  ;  but  hud  no 
Power  againft  himfelf.  Nebuchadnezzar's  fiery  Fur- 
nace, heated  feven  Fold,  had  no  Influence  on  the  three 
Children,  tho*  it  confumed  the  mighty  Men  who  caft 
them  into  it.  The  Fire  ftood  around  Dionyjtus  and  Po~ 
lycarp)  after  the  Manner  of  a  Ships  Sail  full  of  Wind, 
and  xonld  not  touch  them.  Now,  whatever  a&s  only 
naturally  i  a&s  ncceflarily,  the  Fire  bums  (jud  uHimum 
fuipoffet)  to  the  utmoft  Extent  of  its  Power,  confe- 
qustly  fuch  Prefervations  can  proceed  from  Nothing 
v  B  clfc, 


e)  Pfalm  tin.  19.    (f)  Pfalm  cxlvii,  cxlviii.  and  Job  xxxviii, 
"atthew  x,  29,  30* 


C    10    3 

elfe,  than  the  irrejiflable  Providence  of  GOD,  idio  can 
give  Check  to  the  fixed  Laws  of  Nature. 

BESIDES,  if  GOD  does  not  rule  the  World,  the 
Creatures  are  their  own  con/ewers^  which  is  as  great  ah 
Abfurdity,  as  to.fuppbfe  they  were  their  own  Creators. 
The  World  can  no  more  continue  independent,  than  it 
could  exifl  independent.  Whatfoever  owes  its  Being  to 
Powert  owes  the  Prefervatien  of  its  Being  to  that  Jame 
Power. 

BUT  to  prepare  this  Subject  further  for  Improve- 
ment, I  fliall  briefly  difclofe  the  Nature,  and  Properties 
of  D1F1NE  PROVIDENCE,  and  then  illuftrate  and 
confirm  the  Doctrine. 


I.     DIVINE  PROVIDENCE, 
CdREofthe  World,  by  which  hepreferves  all  the  Crea- 
tures, and  Governs  all  their  dflions'. 

Firft.  Govprefervet  tie  World,  which  he  does  by 
upholding  the  Creatures  in  their  diftinft  Ranks  of  ffe- 
ing,  maintaining  them,  and  providing  fuicableSuftain- 
ance  for  tjie  Support  of  their  feveral  Natures.  In  him 
<welivet  move,  and  have  our  Bewgs(hy,  and  he  upholds 
all  Things  by  the  Word  of  fas  Power(i).  Tee  LOKD  pre- 
fer 'ves  Ala?  and  Beafi(]a}  ;  and  the  Eyes  of  alii  kings  wait 
en  him  for  Altai  in  dm  Seafon,  whoopenrhis  Hand  liber- 
ally, and  fatiifes  the  Defre  of  every  Ihing  that  lives(l). 
Jiis  Blefling  Caufes  our  Cloaths  to  warm,  and  Food  to 

nourifli 

(h)  Afts  xvii.  a8.     (i)  Hebrews  i.  3,    (k)  Pfalm  X3q<vi.  6. 
(1)  Pfalm  cxlv,  15,  16, 


C    xi    3 

nmii  ifti  us.  Anc!,-  b^  a  perpetual  Influx,  he  preferves 
the  Virtues  and  Powers  of  natural  Beings  in  a  Promp- 
titude for  Action,  and  enables  them  to  aft  fo  as  to  at- 
tain the  various  Ends  of  their  Natures.  As  the  Crea- 
tures do  not  cxift  by  the  intrinfa  Principles  of  their 
own  Natures,  they  rauft  depend  on  their  Caufc  for 
Prefervation  :  For  whatever  receives  its  Being  from 
another,  has  Nothing  to  fupport  its  Being,  but  its 
producing  Caufe.  If  the  Creatures  fubfift  independent 
of  JEHOVAH,  they  muft  have  a  Self-  lubfifting  Nature, 
and  confequentlx»  are  endowed  with  an  incommunica- 
ble Perfection  of  Deity,  which  is  abfurd. 


QUERY.     Should  GOD  withhold  [ufai 
from  the  Creatures,  would  they  drop  into  their  primi- 
tive Non-exiftence  ? 

ift.  ANSWER.  A  nicer  Sufpenfion  of  fuftanirig  In- 
fluence is  impojfible  ;  GOD  muft  either/*7///  the  Creatures 
Exiftence,  or  A1///  it  ;  and  then  the  Effect  will  n^cefla- 
rily  follow.  But  upon  fuch  a  Sufpcnfion,  were  it 
pofible,  I  cannot  think  the  World  would  drop  into  a 
State  6f  Non-exiftence,  otherwife  the  Creatures  arc 
only  a  meer  Phantom,  or  Shadow.  But  as  they  are 
produced  by  a  pojitive  A&  of  the  divine  U7iU^  they  can- 
not ceafe  to  be,  till  GOD  really  Nill  their  Exifwce  :  Ic  as 
certainty  requires  an  Act  of  Almighty  Power  to  anntii- 
late,  as  it  did  to  Create  all  flings. 

ON  the  forefaid  Hypothefis,  indeed,  Nature  would 

lofeits  fyrings  ofdffiwj  and  rulh  into  a  wild  Heap  of 

B  a  Corftfoa; 


t  1*  ] 

Corfu/ton ;  the  beautiful  Order  of  the  Creatioo  would  be 
broken,  and  all  Things  immediately  reduced  to  their 
original  Chios.  No  more  Ihould  we  breath  vital  Air, 
nor  the  Crimfon  flow  in  our  Veins  any  more  !  The 
Earth  would  not  produce  Food  for  Man  and  Bcaft> 
nor  the  Wings  of  the  Wind  fan  the  World  !  The 
winged  Tribes  would  skim  thro*  the  Air  no  more,  nor 
the  Sea-Herd  fport  in  the  Waves  !  Globes  would  dafh 
on  Globts,  and  univerfal  Syfteras  become  the  Wrack  of 
Matter  !  As  divine  Providence  prejervest  fo 

idly.  IT  governs 'the  IPorld,  by  directing  and  or- 
daining all  Events  arid  their  Caufes  as  he  pleafes.  All 
the  Good  or  Evil,  that  affefts  Individuals,  or  public 
Communities,  is  ordered  and  appointed  by  him,  who 
does  whatever  pleafes  him  in  Heaven,  and  in  Earth,  in  the 
Seaj,~  find  all  deep  Places(m}.  He  puts  down  one,  andfets 
up  anotber^rC) ;  nor  is  there  Evil  in  the  Qtyt  and  tie  LORD 
has  not  done  #(o) ; 

AND,  as  G  o  D  orders  Events,  he  alfo  Rules  all  the  Caufes 
ufed  as  Instruments  in  bringing  them  to  pafs,  which 
are  of  three  Kinds,  natural,  accidental,  and  Moral. 

ift.  HE  governs  the  natural  World,  the  Heavens, 
the  Earth,  theSea,  and  Air,  which,  with  all  the  meer- 
ly  natural  Beings  contained  in  them,  a&  by  a  NeceJ/ity  of 
Nature,  not  of  Choice.  Matter  attracts,  or  repels;  the 
Globes  mutually  Influence  each  other,  and  regularly 

perform 

(m)  Pfalm  cxxxv.  6.    (n)  Pfalm  Ixxv.  7,    (o)  Araos  iii,  £f 


perform  their  various  Movements,  by  \hc.fxeJ  ta&s 
ef  FJeavw  imprefled  on  them.  Hence  the  Tides  regu- 
larly ebb  and  flow,  and  the  Sun  exhales  Vapours  from 
our  Earth,  which,  formed  into  pregnant  Clouds,  and 
toffed  on  the  Wings  of  the  Wind,  gently  diftil  hi 
nourifliing  Drops  on  the  Earth  again. 

THEIR  ALMIGHTY  Former,  opens  the  Trcafures 
of  the  Snow  and  Hail,  and  unftops  the  Bottles  of  Hea- 
ven ;  lets  loofe  the  imprifoned Wind,  and  at  his  Com- 
mand Lightnings  flafh,  and  Thunders  roar.  He  gives 
Springs  to  thele,  and  all  other  natural  Caufes ;  directs 
their  feveral  Motions ;  excites  and  curbs  their  various 
Influences,  as  he  pleafes :  Where,  in  what  Meafure^ 
and  Seafon,  they  fluii  give,,  or  withhold  their  Influ- 
ence, he  keeps  in  his  own  Power,  and  directs  to  an- 
fwer  the  wife  Ends  of  Governmcnt(^) .  By  thefe  the 
LORD  produces,  or  deftroys  the  Fruits  of  the  Earth, 
and  varioufly  affects  the  Bodies  of  Mankind  with 
Health  or  Sicknefs ;  and  therefore  by  thele  he  governs 
Moral  Agents,  rewards  and  punifhes  *'.e  World. 

id.  GOD  governs accidwtalCaufts:  Time  and Cbancet 
faysSoLOMON,  btppentt  all ^«»(q).  Not thatChance, 
or  accident,  can  do  any  Thing(r) ;  whatever  is  done, 

has 

(p)  Job  xjccrili.  Joel  ii.  23, 14,  25.  Amos  iv.  7,  8,  9.  Jere- 
.    miah  v.  24.         (q)  Ecclefiaftes  ix.   n. 

(r)  Ey  Chance,  Lack,  and  Accident,  the  Heathens  understood 
fomething  that  fell  out  without  the  Obfervation  and  Direftion  of 
Heaven  j  and  I  am  apprehenfive  that  many  profefled  Chriftians, 
wjckedly  fix  fome  fuch  Idea  to  thefe  Terms.  But  however  cafual, 
sr  accidental  many  Things  are  to  us,  Nothing  is  fo  to  GOD  wh-a 
and  over-rules  the  very  fmalleft  Incidents. 


t     14    3 

has  {bme  natural  Caufe  that  does  it,  an4  is  determined 
by  Heaven's  irre/tfable  Order.  But  what  we  call  an 
accidental  Caufe t  is  fuch  a  Concurrence  of  different  natu- 
ral Caufrs,  a's  produces  unexpected  and.  undefiirnej  tffefls  ; 
as  one  Man  is  unexpectedly  enriched  by  finding  a 
Pur fe  of  Money  ;  another  ts  undefignedly  impover- 
ifhed  by  lofirig  it.  TFhe  Hand  of  Heaven  is  in  all  fuch 
Events,  however  dtbeijticafyttbuij/regtrtkflbj  too  ma- 
ny. Nothing  is  more  cafual  than  a  L&t  ;  yet  the  whd* 
difpofng  thereof  is  ef  the  LORD(fy 

$d .  D  TM  N  E  Providence  direfis  and  determines  Moral 
Caufes,  or  free  Agents.  When  GOD  rewards  and  pun- 
iffies,  heufually  makes  Choice  of  Men  to  execute  his 
Vengeance,  and  dtfpenie  his  Favors  ;  therefore  he 
fnuft  have  as  abfolute  a  Government  over  afl  their 
Thoughts  and  Paflions,  Counfels  and  Actions,  as  over 
the  Powers  and  Influences  cf  natural  Caufes,  otherwilcf 
he  cannot  reward  an(J  punifh  when,  and  as  he  pleafes; 
our  Lives,  our  Character  and  Eftates,  v/ould  entirely 
depend  on  the  fluctuating  Humors  of  the  World  a- 
rourdus.  But  tbe  King's  Heart  is  in  the  Hand  of  the 
LORD,  he  turns  it  whither  he  «;/fl(t);  and  if  the  King's 
Heart  be  in  his  Hand,  certainly  the  Hearts  of  aJhthers 
are  in  it.  A  Man's  Heart  may  devife  his  IPty,  but  it  is  the 
LORD  that  direfts  lots Steps(u).  GOD  Influences  Good 
JVten  to  do  that,  which  thro*  Grace  they  have  an  In- 
clination to,  viz..  to  glorify  his  Name,  and  do  Good 
to  their  Fellow-Men  :  Moved  from  a  Reverence  of 

the 

(0  Proverbs  xvi.  33.    (t)  Proverbs  xxi.  i,    (u)  Proverbs  xvi,  9. 


r  15  i 

the  divine  Law,  and  Gofpel  Motives,  thrydo  out  of 
Temper  and  Inclination,  what  others  are  conftraincd 
to.  If  at  any  Time  they  are  left  to  Sin,  he  over  rules 
even  this  for  Good,  as  in  the  Cafe  of  Jo/epk's  Brethren's 
felling  him  to  the  JJbmaelites.  And  through  a  peculi- 
ar Impreffion  of  Fear,  or  Hope,  Defire  of  Hoaor, 
Alteration  of  Circu  romances,  or  Interceffion  of  others, 
the  wicked  are  often  reftrained  from  their  evil  Pur* 
pofcs,  or  obliged  to  do  that  .Good  which  their  wicked 
Hearts  did  not  incline  to  do.  Thus  Laban  was  not 
fufFered  to  hurt  Jacob,  and  Efaus  Rage  againft  him  was 
ftayed  ;  Cyrus  gave  Orders  to  build  the  Temple  and 
Walls  of  Jerujalern,  and  dbafucrus  commanded  Deli- 
verance to  the  Jews.  Sometimes  the  LORD  permits 
them  to  execute  the  Evil  Purpofes  their  debauched  In- 
clinations prompt  them  to,  and  thereby  defervedly 
punifhes  themfelves  and  others,  or  over-rules  their 
Evil  Deeds  for  Good  :  The  JJJirian,  the  Rod  of  bis  4n- 
ger,  was  lent  againft  Ifrael  as  a  Scourge  for  their  Ini- 
quities, tho'  be  meant  not  Jo,  nor  did  his  Heart  think  fo(  w); 
Saul  was  fuffered  to  follow  his  wicked  Devices,  as  a 
juft  Punifhment  to  himielf,  and  rebellious  Jjrutl ;  and 
Deliverance  arofe  to  Mrdecai,  and  the  Jews,  when 
the  Evil  Haman  defigned  againft  them,  returned  oi| 
himfelf.  But  it  is  Time  to  confider 

II.     THE  PROPERTIES  of  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE. 

I/.     GOD  rules  the  World  with  Jwtreign,  abfohte 
Power:  He  ruteth  by  his  Power  for  ever,  and  dotb  accord- 
ing 
(w)  Ifaiah  x.  6,  jr, 


[    16    ] 

ing  to  lit  Will  In  tie  Armies  of  Heaven,  and  among  tie  In- 
habitants of  the  Earth,  and  none  can  fay  bit  Hand,  or  fay 
unto  him  what  dof  /&»«(  x)  ?  It  docs  not  become 
infinite  WifHom  to  give  Account  of  his  Matters,  nor 
the  Modefty  of  the  Creature  to  demand  it  ;  for,  as  ab~ 
ftlttte  Power  made  all  Things,  it  gives  an  abfolute  RigH? 
to  a  fovcreign  irrt.ffible  Government  of  all  Things.  He 
fw  ays  a  Scepter  fo  arbitrary,  and  uncontrollable,  that 
no  Good,  or  Evil,  can  befal  any  of  the  Creatures, 
but  what  he  pleafes,  and  appoints  for  them. 

NOR  does  this  infer  a  fatal  Neceflity  kid  upon  hu- 
man Actions  :  For  Men  Will,  and  Cbitfe  as  freely,  and 
purfue  what  they  fuppofe  makes  for  their  own  Intereft 
and  Satisfaction,  as  much,  as  if  they  were  left  entirely  to 
tfair  own  Management.  Good  Men  do  Good  with  Com  - 
placency  ;  and  all  the  Evils  wicked  Men  praclife,  are 
their  own  free  Choice,  even  when  they  ferva  thofe 
Ends  they  never  thought  of  ;  fometiir.es  alfo,  thro* 
Fear  of  the  Confequcnce  of  omitting,  and  Hopes  from 
the  Confequence  of  Acting,  they  chuie  to  do  Good, 
contrary  to  the  prevailing  Bias  of  their  corrupt 
Minds  ;  therefore  they  are,  and  always  Ac^  as  free  d- 
gents.  Now,  the  Liberty  of  the  rational  Jj?W,  muft 
confift  in  ABlng  out  of  Choice,  and  not  in  an  Indifferency 
to  any  Thing  or  itsoppofite  ;  otherwifc  GOD  himfelf, 
who  A&s  with  infinitely  per}  eft  Liberty,  is  not  free  in  his 
Afts  ;  for  tho'  he  has  a  moft  abfolute  Free  Jam  to  do  Good, 
he  cannot  poffibly  do  a  iveakt  orfnful  &w>- 


(x)  Pfalm  kvi.  7,   Daniel  iv.  3|- 


C    17    3 

NEITHER  is  it  any  Reflection  upon  the  Purity  of  the 
divine  Government,  that  it  is  abfolute ;  for  tho*  GOD 
irreverfibiy  determines  every  Eventt  he  moves  none  to  Sin  \ 
but  the  finful  Actions  of  Men,  (which  are  all  of  them- 
felves)  he  over-rulesfor  Good,  toaccompliili  his  own 
glorious  Ends.  GOD  fent  Jofeph  into  Egypt,  and  ad- 
vanced him  unto  Pharaoh's  Throne  ;  but  the  Sin  of  fel- 
ling him  to  the  Ijbntaelitefj  lay  at  his  Brethren's  Door  : 
4s  for  you,  (fays  he  to  them)  ye  thought  EvilagAinf  me  ; 
but  GOD  meant  it  unto  Good(y). 
I 

FROM  all  which  we  may  learn  the  Righteoufnefs  of 
divine  Conduct,  in  the  various  Afflictions  laid  on  the 
Children  of  Men  ;  for  as  they  Sin  of  Choice,  and  at- 
tempt to  cake  the  Reins  of  Government  out  of  his  Handt 
with  the  greateft  Equity  GOD  revenges  their  Infults  on 
his  Majefty,  and  Contempt  of  his  Authority. 

IT  is  the  Glory  of  GOD'S  Dominion,  andourHap- 
pinefs,  that  he  rules  uncontrollable  and  unlimited ;  for 
all  the  Attsof  his  Power  are  conducted  by  a  righteous 
Will,  and  infinite  Wifdom  which  cannot  err.  Hence 
we  learn  how  ignprantly  fome  object  againft  abfolutc 
Authority  in  GOD  as  tyrannical,  meafuring  it  with 
what  is  called  fuch  among  Men.  Such  a  Government 
among  Men,  is  often  prejudicial  to  the  Subjects ;  the 
Reafon  of  which  is,  that  it  is  not  properly  abfolute  ; 
for,  being  imperfect,  it  cannot  Ao  all 'Things.  An  ab- 
folute Ruler  is  not  laid  under  the  fame  reftraints  by 
the  Laws  of  the  Land  as  other  Princes  are,  he  may 
C  order 

(y)  Genefis  xlv,  5,  7,  8,  and  1.  ao, 


C     i8    ] 

order  what  he  pleales,  and  do  what  he  Wills,  as  far 
as  he  can;  hue  he  cannot  obtain  ail  hisDefires,  ahho" 
no  Man  oppofe  him  ;  and  as  to  many  Things  he  does 
defire,  neighbor  ing  Princes  may  lay  a  Curb  upon  him ; 
and,  when  he  Acts  the  Tyrant,  his  own  Subje&s  too 
may  rifeupagainft,  and  reiift  him.  Now,  the  proper 
Caufesof  the  Injuftice  practifed  by  iuch  Governors,  as 
•well  as  all  others,are,  [  i  J  that  they  have  it  not  in  their 
Power  to  do  what  they  have  a  Mind  to  do,  without 
doing  Injury  to  others:  Who  would  not  rather  receive 
a  Purfc  of  Money  freely,  than  run  theRifque  of  at- 
tempting an  A  (Fault  Tor  ic  ?  [2]  They  are  fw  ay  ed  with 
violent  Paffions,  to  do  what  they  know  Ihould  not  be 
done ;  and  Paflion  di (covers  great  Weaknefs.  But 
neither  the  Weaknefs  of  Pafiion,  nor  Inability  in  any 
Senfc,  may  be  afcribed  to  GOD,  who  is  fo  perfect  that 
he  can  do  whatsoever  be  U  ills,  and  Wills  Nothing  but 
what  is  tight ;  therefore  we  may  rejoice  that  the 
LORD  GOD  OMNIPOTENT  REIGNS;  for  as  he  is  a- 
l>k  to  do  allVhings,  and  none  can  let  him  ;  fo  Power  is  a 
generous  Principle,  and  ic  is  ics  Glory  to  do  Good. 

Secondly .  DIVINE  Providence  is  j/US7s  ffe  judges 
tbe  People  ri^teoujly^  who  governs  the  Nations  upon  Earth, 
and  is  righteous  in  all  his  Ways(z}.  We  fpeak  not 
here  of  commutative  Jufice%  which,  refpeding  £x- 
changes  ,.f  Rights  and  Properties,  is  only  found  a - 
mong  iL«.  fe  that  in  fome  Refpect  or  other  are  Equals : 
But  Goi>  being  Supreme,  the  Right  is  all  on  his  Side ; 
there  can  therefore  be  no  commutative  Juftice  between 

him 

(t)  Pfalm  Ixvii.  4.  and  orit.  17. 


C    19    3 

him  and  the  Creature.     Hence  we  are  only  to  confl- 
der  diprihutive  Juftic^  which  confifts  in  rewarding  and 
punifhing  Men  according  to. their  Deeds',  and  may  there- 
fore be  diftin^uifh-d  into  remunerative  and  vindictive. 
According  to  his  gracious  Promife,  GOD  beftows  on 
Good  Men,  Rewardsofw^GWre,  not  of  Debt  :  As  far 
as  is  conducive  to  his  Glory  and  their  Good,  he  defend? 
their  Perfons,  vindicates  their  Character,  fupports 
them  under  all  Difficulties,  and  withholds  no  good  Ming 
from  them(a\     That  they  are  often  afflicted,  is  no  Ar- 
gument againft  the  Eauityof  divine  Conduct ,  for  to  chaf- 
tize  his  Children,  wliom  yet  he  loves,  isflrift  Propriety 
in  a   Father's  Government.     Our  heavenly  Father,  in 
Love,  proves  and  chaftiz.es  hisChildren,  whofe Offen- 
ces are  greater  than  all  their  Sufferings.     Be  fides,  he 
executes  Vengeance,  on  the  impious  for  their  criminal 
Conduct  ?  In  his  Hand  is  a  Cup  of  Red  flPine,  full  of 
Mixture  ;  the   Dregs  whereof    they  Jhnll  wring  out,  and, 
drink  them  mfb).     What  remarkable  Inftances  of  this 
were  Cain,  Saul,  Nebuchadnezzar,    Beljhazzar,  Judas, 
Francis  Spira,  and  the  overthrow  of  manyCities,  Nati- 
ons, Kingdoms,  and  Empires    But  to  enumerate  all  the 
Threatnings  and  Examples  of  this  Kind  would  be  end- 
lefs.     Frequently,  indeed,    the  wicked  profper  in  the 
Jforld  nor  are  they  plagued  as   other  Afen(c).     Yet    this 
is  no  jit  ft  Objection  againft  the  Ri*hteoufnefs  of  divine  Dif- 
penfations  .•  For  as  the  Juftice  of  Government  does  not 
confift  in  hindering,  but  in  punifhing  A^ts  of  Jnjuftice ; 
fo  neither  does  it  confift  in  always  punifhing  Crimi- 
C  2  nals 

(a)  Pfalm  xci.  and  xxxiv.  9,  lo.  and  Ixxxiv.  II. 
(J>)  Pfalm  lixv,  8.        (c)  Pfsdra  IxxiiJ.  5,  i». 


£  20  3 

nals  immediately  as  they  defer ve  ;  but  in  adjuftingthe 
Time  and  Meafure  of  Punifhment  io  wifely,  astoan- 
fwer,  in  the  beft  Manner,  the  noble  Ends  of  Govern- 
ment. This  being  a  State  of 'Probation,  And.  not  of  Re- 
trilution,  GOD  fees  it  malt  proper  to  defer  the  Execu- 
tion of  his  fearful,  bur  juft  .Sentence  againft  the  un- 
godly. Were  they  always  puniilied  immediately  as 
they  deferve,  the  gieareft  Part  of  Mankind  would  be 
quickly  thurft  down  to  Hell  ;  which,  inflead  of  go- 
verning, would  be  an  effectual  Method,  foon  to  put  an 
End  to  the  Government  of  the  World. 

Thirdly .     A  s  GOD  is  righteous  in  all  bis  Ways,  fo  he 
is  holy  in  all  his  Works^.     He,  in  whofe  Sight  the  Hea- 
vens are  net  dean,  and  he  charges  his  Aigels  with  Folly, 
has  no  Pleafure  in  Wickedncfs  ;  nor  faall  Evil  dwell  witb 
kirn:  The  foolifofoall  not  fiand^in  his  Sight,  and  he  hates  all 
the  Workers  of  Iniquitfa}.     Reprefenting  to  Mankind 
by  his  Promifcs,  Commands,  and  Threatnings,  theun- 
fpeakable  Beauties  and  Advantages  of  Holinefs ;  th$ 
dreadful  Deformity  andConfeqaences  of  Sin ;  he  encou- 
rages thcmtoaliyiitueand  Goodnefs,  and difcou rages 
from  all  Kinds  and  Degrees  of  Vice  and  Wickednefs. 
And  is   not  the  LORD  known  by  the  Judgments  he  exe- 
r/rt«(f)  ?  His  holy  Difpleafure  at  Sin,  is  difpiuyed  by 
Pains,  Difeafes,  and  Death ;  the  Plague,  the  Peftilence, 
Famine,  and  Earthquakes ;  violent  Changes  of  Go- 
vernment, and  al  I  the  Mileries  and  Difolations  of  War, 
which  fweep  Multitudes  of  Offenders  before  them, 
are  the  woful  Effects,  and  juft  Deferts  of  Sin.     Some 

make 

>d)  Pfalm  cxll.  17.     (e)  Pfalm  v.  4,  5,     (f)  Pfalmix.iC. 


C    "    3 

make  a  mighty  Handle  of  the  Exigence  of  Sin  in  the 
World,  to  fully  the  Purity  of  divine  Providence. 
But  rheHolinefs  of  GOD, does  not  require  him  toprevent 
ike  Being  of  Sin  ;  it  only  requires  that  he  be  not  the  Au- 
thor of  it,  and  that  he  direR  the  Sins  of  Men  to  anfwer  the 
wife  Ends  of  Government.  Now,  thefe  Ends  are  an- 
fwered,  (for  to  Mention  no  more)  by  the  Mifchiefs 
it  does  in  the  World,  and  all  the  Puniihments  inflicted 
on  the  Guilty,  Sin  is  rendered  moft  infamous  and  hate- 
ful; the  irreconcilable  Qppofjtion  ofa  holy  GOD  to  it 
manifested;  the  Beauties  of  governing  Hoiinefs  illu- 
ftrated;  Sinners  are  detered  from  offending  a  Sin- ha- 
ting GOD;  and,  finally,  divine  Glories  ihall  be  dif- 
played  inthe  Damnation  of  fame  for  Sin,  and  the  Salvation 
of  others  from  it,  by  JBSUS  CHRIST.  Nor  is  GOD  the 
Author  of  Sin  ;  for  tho*  he  permits^  he  does  not  com- 
mandt  nor  influence  Men  to  Sin :  He  fuftains  our  natural 
Powers  in  a  Promptitude  for  Action,  and,  enables  us 
to  perform ^Bs  meerly  natural',  but  does  not  infufe  Mo- 
ral Evil  Principles  into  our  Souls;  we  ourfelves  are 
chargeable  with  the  Immorality  of  EviUfts,  which  flows 
from  their  Principle  and  End.  Now,  if  it  was  no 
Crime  in  GOD  to  form  us  capable  of  natural  A&s,  it 
can  be  none  in  him,  to  preferve  our  Powers,  and  en- 
able us  to  exert  fuch  A6ts. 

Fourthly.  IH  divine  Providence,  GOODNESS  rules 
predominant,  and  Juftice  is  only  its  Miniftcr,  as  it  mud 
needs  be  in  a  State  of  Difcipline,  when  Corrections  as 
well  as  Favors  are  intended  for  Good.  GOD  has  not 


r  tz  3 


left  liwfelf  without  a  Witnefs)  in  giving  us  Rain  from  Hea- 
ven, and  fruitful  Seafens  ;  filing  our  Hearts  'with  Food  anj 
Gladnefs(g).  Every  Breath  we  draw,  and  all  the 
Train  of  unnumbered  Favors  \ye  daily  receive,  loudly 
proclaim  the  Surprizing  Goodntfs  t>f  JEHOVAH  to  the 
difobedient  and  unthankful.  But  here,  inftead  of 
proving,  we  may  wonder  and  adore  ;  for  the  whole 
Earth  is  full  of  the  Goodnefs  of  the  LQRD(h)  ' 

THE  Eyes  of  all  Things  wait  on  him  for  Food,  at 
the  opening  of  whofe  liberal  Hand  they  are  bountifully 
fupplied  '  No  Creature,  in  this  lower  World,  fo 
rrean,  or  miferatye,  but  is  the  Subject  of  innumerable, 
unmerited  Favors!  But  GOD  is  peculiarly  Good  to 
thofe,  to  whom  he  gives  a  Dtfpenfation  of  the  GOSPEL  \ 
difclofing  CHRIST,  and  the  glorious  Scheme  of  Re- 
demption through  him  .*  Here  they  may  lee  Mercy  rejoict 
t^  and  Grace  triumphant  take  the  Field  ! 


Fifthly.  THE  Providences  of  GOD  are  often  tre- 
mendous ;  for  the  Rings  of  the  ff%eels  were  fo  high,  that 
they  were  dreadfufj}-  How  folemnly  awful  did  they  ap- 
pear to  Job,  when  one  MefTage  after  another,  in  thick 
Sncceffion,  informed  him  of  the  Death  and  Captivity 
of  his  Sons,  his  Servants  and  his  Cattle  ;  and  when  to 
thcfe  DiftrefTes  were  added,  the  Temptations  of  the  De- 
vil and  his  own  Wife,  the  Reproaches  and  falfc  Ac- 
cufations  of  his  Friends,  and  fore  Afflictions  in  hi*  Bo- 
dy. 

(g)  A6h  xiv.  17.       (h)  Pfalm  xxxiii.  5.       (i)  Vcrfe  jg,  ef 
•ur  Context. 


t    «3    J 

<!y.  Sometimes  the  GOD  of  friking  Majrfy  cloathri 
himfelf  with  Terror,  and  feems  10  fcatter  Arrows  of 
divine  Vengeance  around  his  People  !  Deep  calls  unto 
Deep  at  the  Noife  of  his  Water^poutt,  and  his  breaking 
Waves  pafs  over  tbem(k)  !  The  Wheels  rife  high,  ex- 
ceeding high  indeed^  when  Nation's  Tumults  fweli,  and 
the  Thunders  of  War  proclaim  the  Difpleafure  of  angry 
Heaven  !  The  Rattling  of  Drums,  the  Roaring  of 
Cannon,  Garments  rolled  in  Blood,  and  Groans  of 
(laughtercdMen,  &r \keConft* (ion  cnourEar,  while  they 
prefent  to  our  Eye  the  mo&Jhockiag  Scene  /  And  does 
not  the  Convulfion  of  States  and  Nations,  the  fuddeu 
Re  volutions  and  Falls  of  Empires  and  Kingdoms,  equal- 
ly fill  us  with  Surprize  and  Horror  !  Yet  in  fuch  doleful 
Ideas  there  is  fomething  awfully  pleapng ;  for  they  paint 
before  us  the  Execution  of  J*fue>  in  which  we  ought 
ever  toacquieice! 

Sixthly .  THE  Prophet  informs  us,  that  the  Rings  of 
tie  Wheels  were  FULL  OF  EMS  round  about  themfour(\\ 
which  points  out  the  Skill  and  Wifdom  with  which 
GOD  conduces  the  whole  Scene  of  Providence.  N0# 
tcecolmpetu  vofauntur  Rotee,  the  Wheels  of  Providence 
are  not  moved  by  blir.d Chance.  The  facred Oracles, 
and  Hiftories  of  ail  Ages,  are  pregnant  with  Marks  of 
the  moft  exquifue  Wifdom  diftributing  to  particular 
Perfon?,  Famihe  ,  and  whole  Communities,  Rewards> 
Chaftifements  and  Punifliments,  in  the  propereftSea- 
fons,  Meafuro,  and  Methods,  to  difplay  the  legilla' 
tive  Glory  of  GOD,  diicounienance  Vice,  encourage 

Piety ; 

(10  Pialm  xlii.  7.        (1)  Vctfe  IS,  of  our  Context. 


C     *4    1 

Piety  ;  and,  in  fhort,  to  anfwer,  in  the  nobkft  Man  • 
ner,  all  the  Ends  of  Government. 

Bu  T,  the  Evidences  of  divine  Wifdom,  in  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  World,  croud  in  juch  Numbers,  that 
Time  would  fail  to  difcufs,  at  any  Length,  even  a  ve- 
ry fmall  Part  of  them  ;  I  fhall  therefore  briefly  hint 
only  the  few  following  Particulars,  in  which  it  pecu- 
liarly appears,  [i]  It  appears  in  difconcerting,  and 
turning  to  their  own  Confufion,  the  raifchievous 
Schemes  of  Satan;  and  his  ambitious,  ill-defigning  In- 
ftruments;  and  making  them  Subferve  the  Glory  of 
GOD  ;  Interefts  of  the  Church,  and  the  common  Good 
of  Mankind.  Thus  the  Counfel  of  Jhithophel  was 
turned  into  Fooliflinefs,  and  the  Mifchief  defigned  a- 
gainft  Daniel  by  his  Periecutors,  befel  themfclves. 
The  wicked  Defigns  of  the  Babel  Builders,  were  fruf- 
trated  by  the  Confufion  of  Languages,  which  unerr- 
ing Wifdom  (by  feparating  thofe  of  different  Tongues 
from  each  other,  and  forming  them  into  difintt  Com- 
munities thro*  the  Earth,)  over- ruled  to  promote  Com- 
merce and  Induftry,  the  Cultivation  of  the  liberal  Arts 
and  Sciences,  and  to  prevent  univerfal  Monarchy, 
which,  in  this  imperfed  State,  could  not  fo  well  an- 
fwer the  End  of  Government,  namely,  to  take  care 
of  the  Subjects,  and  direft  their  Manners.  But  in 
Nothing  more  clearly  does  this  Point  appear,  than  in 
direding  the  Malice  of  Satan  and  the  Jew,  r*fpe6t- 
ingtheDeathoftheSonofGoi>,  O  Crime  the  moft 
horrid  in  its  Nature ! )  to  the.  overthrow  of  the  Devil's 
Kingdom,  thegrcateftGoodofMen,  and  the  bright- 


C     25     1  * 

eft  Ifluftratioa  of  divine?erfeaions.     [2]   Means  the 
moft  likely,  and  bed  deviled,  are  frequently  baffled, 
while  others  tlut  are  weaker,  nay    contrary    prove 
cff-ftual :  By  which  theGoo  of  Wifdom  equally  pours 
Contempt  on  the  Strength  and  ftffacm  of  Man,  and  in- 
ftrufts  the  World,  that***  Race  h  not  to  the  Swift,  nor 
tie  Battle  to  tie  Strong.     Gideon,  with  his  three  Hundred 
Men  and 'their  broken  Pitchers,  put   to  Flight  the 
great  Koft  of  the  AMianites  ;  yet  all  the  Tribes  of  ffraet 
'    fled  before  the   fiugle  Tribe  of  Benjamin.     [3] -Infi- 
nite Wifdom  difappoints our  mQ&'fanguine  ExpeSatioes 
and  bodeing  Fears,  and  that  in  Gloomy  as  well  as  bright 
Difpenfations,  that  we  may  learn  t.o   fix  our  whole  De- 
pendence on  POVJDEKCE,  in  which  only>  our  Safety- 
arid  Happinefs  lies. 

[4]  No  lefs  ev:<dent  is  the  difplay  of  JEHOVAH'S 
Wifdom,  in  caufing  his  People   tojing  of  Mercy  and  of 
Judgment^).     Mercy  excites  their  Faith,  Hope,  and 
humble  Gratitude  ;  Judgment  fuppreffes  their  Prids 
and  Luxuriance  ;  and  a  Mixture  of  both,  Iweetly  moves 
their  Souls  to  Repentance.     Thus  d^es  he  fulfil   his 
gracious  Promife,  that  all  Things  Jhall  work  together  for 
their  Good(n),  even  his   mo& cloudy  Difyenfxtions\  for  if 
they  are  left  to  Sin,  their  Falls  fhail  make  rheir  ftand- 
ingmorc  fure  ;  if  tempted,  they  have  an  Errand  to 
the  Throne  of  Grace;  ifdefened,  they  are  taught  the 
Meceifity  of  fupernatural  Influences ;  and  it  atflided, 
they  learn  the  difficult,  but  neceflai  y,  Duty  of  Sub- 
D 

(m)'Pfalm  ci.  i.  (n)  Romans  viii,  a8. 


t    *6    ] 

• 

miflion.  [$]  Sin  is  pttnified  with  Sin%  and  that 
often  of  the  fame  Kind  ;  whereby  the  Crimes  of  Man- 
kind are  marked  on  the  Punifliment  of  them,  to  hum- 
ble Deliquents  more  effectually,  and  give  others  a  fo- 
lemn  Warning.  Thus  David's  Murder  and  Adultery, 
•were  fharply  chaftifed  by  the  Murder  and  Inceft  of 
Amor.t  as  well  as  Jbfalotn's  unnatural  Rebellion  !  [6] 
Divine  Wifdom  is  very  confpicuous  in  deferring 
to  the  utmoft  Extremity,  the  Deliverance  of  righteous, 
and  Punifliment  of  wicked  Men.  dbrabam  wasjufta- 
boat  to  facrifice  his  well  beloved  Ifaact  when  a  Ram 
was  provided  for  a  Burnt- offering  in  Ifaac's  Room, 
Their  Calamities  were  moft  prefltng,  when  Deliver- 
ance arofe  to  ffrael  in  Egypt >  and  to  the  Jews  in  Eftber'$ 
Time.  Never  did  a  more  terrible  Storm  of  Perfecu- 
tion  rage  againft  the  Church,  than  under  Dhctefian, 
that  rnoft  bloody  Perfecutor,  juft  before  Gonfantine, 
was  advanced  to  the  Throne,  who  not  only  afforded 
her  Deliverance,  but  eftabliflied  the  Chriftian  Religi- 
on thro*  the  whole  Empire.  Now,  human  Power 
and  Counfels,  too  often  monopolize  the  Glory  of  Suc- 
cefs;  but  when  Matters  are  fo  extreme  as  to  exceed 
Creature  Aids,  Relief  fwectly  Surprizes  our  Hearts 
with  a  Senfe  of  the  Goodnefs  of  the  divine  Hand, 
while  it  excites  our  grcatful  Acknowledgments  of  its 
Favors.  When  the  Jews,  after  repeated  Warnings, 
continued  rebellious,  they  were  carried  Captive  to  Ba- 
lykn  ;  when  the  Cup  of  their  Iniquities  was  yet  far- 
ther filled,  defolating  Judgments  at  the  Deftruftion  of 
JeruJ*lem>  totally  deftroyed  their  civil  Policy,  greatly 

diminiftied 


Himintfhed  their  Numbers,  and  difperfed  the  fhattered 
Remains  as  Fugitives  amongft  the  Nations.  By  thefe, 
and/«c^  Inftances,  GOD  magnifies  hlsjujlice  as  well  as 
Patience,,  manifeftly  charges  the  Creature  with  Guilr, 
and  vindicates  the  Righteoufnefs  of  his  Government. 

Seventhly .  DIVINE  Providence  is  very  myfterioui: 
"IhylFay  (fays  the  PSALMIST,)  //  in  the  Sea,  and  thy 
Path  in  the  Great  Waters ;  and  thy  Foot-peps  are*ntf 
known(o').  We  are  often  puxz,led  to  know  what  is  the 
JDefign  of  Providence  towards  ourfelves  or  others,  till 
the  Event  makes  it  manifeft ;  and  are  drawing  the 
harlheft  Conclufions,  when  GOD  has  the  kindeft  In- 
tentions of  Mercy.  Jofcph  is  not ,  (fays  old  Jacob,} 
and  Simeon  ij  not,  and  ye  will  take  Benjamin  away:  All 
theje  things  are  againft  wc(p).  Yet  dark  as  the  Scene 
appeared  to  Jacob  t  GOD  was  Working  for  Good  to 
him,  and  to  his  Family. 

BUT  when  the  Event  difcovers  the  Meaning  of 
Providence,  and  fometimes  even  while  it  is  working, 
we  may  perceive  a  beautiful  Chain,  in  which  its  vari- 
ousA6ts  and  Inftruments  are  linked  together,  and 
mutually  concur  to  produce  the  fame  Efted*,  how  op- 
pofitefoever  to  each  other,  or  to  the  End  intended, 
they  may  frequently  feem  to  be.  But  this  is  the  Point 
•which 

III.     I  AM  to  illnjlrate  and  confirm. 

D  2  You 

(o)  Pfalm  Ixxvii.  19.     (p)  Genefii  xlii.  tf. 


C    28    ] 

You  may  obferve  in  the  natural  TPc-rM,  a  \vonder- 
fu 'Concatenation  of faontlGaufss,  which,  like;  Wheels 
in  a  curious  Engine,  move  in  their  feveral  Spheres,  as 
they  are  moved  by  the  frft  grand  Spring  ;  an^i  con- 
netted  with  each  other,  -mutually  concur  to  promote  the 
fame  glorious  Dejirvs.  Of  this  you  hive  an'  elegant 
Defer ipdon,  KOSEA  ii.  21,  22.  It  fall  come  to  pafs 
in  that  Day,  I  will  hear,  fxitb  the  LQR.D,  I  will  bear 
ffyefJeawns,  and  they  (bail  hear  the  Earth,  And  the  Ezrtb 
foall  hear  the  Ccvn,  and  the.  U'im^  And  the.  Oil,  and  they  [hall 
kear  Jezrccl.  The  inanimate  Creatures,  by  a  Profipo- 
peiat  are  here  ir.troduced,  as  tho*  endowed  with  In- 
telligence, to  know  their  own  and  others  Wants,'  as 
well  as  Source  of  Supplies ;  they  call  for  Relief,  hear, 
and  anfwer  the  Demands  made  on  them.  The  great 
End  to  be  anfvvered,  is  the  Suftenance  ofJ^reeT,  or 
the  People  of  .Gon,  in  order  to  which,  GOD,  the 
Prime  u.  iverfal  Caufe,  Supplies  the  Clouds  with,  and 
commands  them  todiftil  their  gentle  Drop,  of  Run  on 
the  parched  Earth  ;  the  E-irth,  when  m  >llifi:d  wi.h 
refrvfli:ng  Showers,  Supplies  the  Seed,  the  Vine  and 
Olive  with  Moifture;  thefe  being  nourished,  produce 
Corn,  Wine,  and  Oil,  for  Food  to  Jezreel,  whofe 
Vv  ants  are  hereby  fully  fupplied. 

No  lefs  aftoniihing  are  the  harmonious  Connexion  and 
Subordination  of  Caufes  in  the  Ajoral  H^crld^  or  in  GOD'S 
ufing  Mankind  as  the  Inflruments  of  Pr evidence t  how 
difterent  foever  their  Intentions  may  be,  or  the  Na- 
ture and  Tendencies  of  the  various  Incidents  and  Means 
moving  them  to  a&.  OF  this  we  have  fone  notable 

Inflates 


[     29     3 

In  franc;*  in  GOD'S  fulfilling  what  he  foretold,  and 
promifed  to  Abraham^  viz<  that  "his  Seed  jkould  ferve,  and 
be  affiifleJkv  $tranz?rs  four  Hundred  Years,  in  a  Land  that 
was  not  theirs  ;  and  afterwards  Joe  would  jud^e  the  Nation 
vj^om  tb?v  fbould  ferve>  and  brin?  them  forth  with  great 
&£/&ftnr«(q).  Jofeph  dreams  of  his  Future  Advance- 
ment, and  tells  his  Dreams  to  his  Brethren,  for  which 
they  hare  him  ;  Jacob  fends  Jofeph  to  vifit  his  Breth- 
ren in  the  Fields,  who,  excited  by  Malice  for  his 
Dreams,  determine  to  kill  him  ;  but,  in  the  mean 
Time,  Providence,  fending  a  Company  of  Ifbntaelites 
that  Way,  they  ceafe  from  their  Purpofe,  aud  fell  him 
them  •,  the  IJbmaelites  carry  Jofeph  to  Egypt,  and  fell 
him  to  Potiphar ;  Potiphar's  Wife  tempts  him  to  Lewd- 
nefs  with  her,  but  he  nobly  refitting  the  Temptation, 
flic,  in  Revenge,  falfely  accufes  him  to  his  Mafter, 
who  caft  hfm  into  the  King's  Prifon.  It  fo  fell  out, 
in  the  Providence  of  GOD,  that  the  King's  chief  But* 
kr  and  'Baker,  were  at  that  Time,  caft  into  the  lame 
Prifon;  they  dream  their feveral  Dreams,  which  Jo- 
feph  interprets  to  them,  and  the  Event  proved  the 
Truth  of  his  Interpretation.  Two  Years  afterwards, 
Pharaol  had  his  Dreams  of  the  fevcn  Years  Plenty  and 
Famine,  which  allrhe  wife  Men  of  Egypt  could  not  in- 
terpret ;  the  chief  Butler  then  informed  Pharaoh  ofjo- 
fspb,  who  is  now  exalted  from  Prifon,  interprets  P&t- 
raitb's  Dreams,  and  advanced  to  the  Throne  of  Digni- 
ty .  After  feven  Years  of  Plenty,  fevcn  Years  of  Fa- 
mine come  on,  and  Jacob  fends  his  Son  to  Egypt,  to  buy 
Corn  ;  jfofyh  is  made  known  to  his  Brethren,  and 

fends 
(q)  Genefis  xv.  13,  14. 


C    30    ] 

fends  for  his  Father,  and  ail  his  Family,  who  come  to, 
and  are  preferred  in  a  Land  that  is  not  theirs. 

Ho  w  various  and  remarkable  were  the  Movements  of 
the  Wheels  in  this  very  furpriVKg  Scene  !  The  Objects 
that  excited   Ambition,   Revenge,    Lewdnefs,  .Fear, 
de fire  of  Gain,  ©V.  weredire8edintheproperepSeafonst 
to  excite  thefe  various  Paffions  in  their  refpective  Sub- 
jects, fo  as  they,  in  their  feveral  Orders,  were  moved 
to  aft  in  fuch  a  Manner,  as  to  bring  to  pafs  the  grand 
End  in  View.     Who  would  have  thought,  that  ail  the 
Sufferings  and  Reproach  of  Joftph^  were  in  order  to 
his  Advancement,  and  neceflary,  as  a  Mean,  to  fulfil 
GOD'S  Promifesand  Predictions  rcfpecting  Abraham's 
Seed  ?  Good  old  Jacob  himfelf  mifunderftood  the  Mean- 
ing of  fome  of  thefc  Events :  Mtbeje  Wrings  (fays  he) 
Are  againf  me.     And,  indeed,  toSenfe  and  carnal  Biea* 
fony  they  appeared  rather  to  interfere  with,  than  pro- 
mote, the  general  Dejign, 

AFTER  Jofeph's  Death,  a  King  rofe  up  in  Eeypt, 
that  knew  him  nor,  and  greatly  afflicted  the  Children 
oflfrael.  But  the  Time  of  their  Deliverar.ee  drawing 
near,  the  King  gave  Commandment  to  drown  all  their 
Male  Children.  At  this  very  Juncture,  Mfes,  the 
great  Deliverer  of  his  People,  was  born  ;  his  Mother 
feeing  that  he  was  a  goodly  Child,  hid  him  three 
Months ;  but  being  able  to  conceal  him  no  longer, 
fhe  puts  him  into  an  Ark  of  BulrufKes  by  the  River 
Side.  Pharaoh's  Daughter  coming  down  to  the  Ri- 
ver to  wafh,  finds,  and  takes  Companion  on  the  weep- 
ing 


r  3*  3 

ing  Babe,  and  orders  a  Nurfe  to  be  called  for  him, 
who,  without  her  Knowledge,  was  his  own  Mother  : 
By  which  Means,  he  became  acquainted  with  his  own 
Kindred,  and,  no  doubt,  was  inftrudted  in  the  Know- 
ledge and  Worfliip  of  the  TRUE  GOD.  When  Mo- 
fes  was  grown  up,  Pharaoh's.  Daughter  adopts  him  for 
her  own  Son,  and  brings  him  into  Court,  where  he 
was  educated  in  all  the  Policies  and  Learning  of  Egypt  ; 
by  which  he  was  fitted  for  Government.  When  Mo- 
fes  was  forty  Years  old,  he  flew  an  Egyptian  in  De- 
fence of  one  of  his  Brethren  ;  which  being  known, 
be  feared  the  Rage  of  the  Court,  and  fled  into  the 
Land  of  Miaian  ;  where,  by  communing  with  his  GOD 
in  lonely  Solitude,  and  accuftomed  toa  Life  of  greater 
Severities,  than  formerly  in  Pharayps  delicate  Court, 
he  was  the  more  compleatly  qualified  for  all  the  Try- 
als  before  him,  and  the  prodigious  Fatigue  of  leading 
fo  numerous  a  People  through  the  howling  Wilder- 
nefs.  ThmMfesby  fundry  remarkable  Events,  be- 
ing amazingly  preferved,  and  fitted  for  fo  great  a 
Truft,  after  many  furpming  Signs  and  Wonder* 
wrought  in  Egypt,  brought  Ifrael  thence  with  great 
Subftanee,  as  GOD  had  promiled  to 


WHAT  a  remarkable  Concurrence  of  Events  paved  the 
Way  for  the  fpread  of  the  Mediator's  Kingdom,  and 
more  extenfive  Knowledge  of  GOD,  than  had  been  gi- 
ven to  the  Children  of  Men,  in  the  early  Ages  of  the 
World  !  The  Jews,  for  their  Iniquities,  were  difper- 
fed  through  the  World,  under  the  Chaldean^  Perpan% 
Grecian,  and  Roman  Monarchs.  Wherever  they  were 

fcattered, 


C    3*' 3 

fcattered,  Numbers  of  the  Heathen  obtained  the 
Knowledge  of  the  <l  RUE  GOD,  an4  were  profelytecf 
to  the  Jcwijb  Religion.  Nebifcbadffezzar,  Darius  the 
djede,  and  Cyrus  the  Perfiany  gave  honorable  Teftimo- 
ntesto  the  Glory  of  the  Goo  of  Jfrael.  Alexander  the 
Great,  "the  Foander  of  the  Grecian  Empire,  offered 
Sacrifice  to  him  at  Jerufakm.  When  after  his  Death, 
the  Empire  was  divided  among  his  Generals,  and  Pto- 
lemy led  Numbers  of  the  Jews  to  Egypt,  Ptolemy  Philx- 
delphus,  his  Son,  a  Man  equally  admired  for  his  Learn- 
ing, and  Love  of  learned  Men,  ordered  feventy  of  the 
Jewijh  Rallies ,  to  tranflate  the  old  Teftament,  from* 
the  Hebrew  into  Greek  ;  by  which  Means,  fome  of  that 
Language  Iwd  anQoportunity  of  being  acquainted  with 
the  Scriptures.  Twe  Jews  were  (till  farther  difperfed 
by  the-RcwrtWJ,  and  the  Number  of  Profelytesincreafed 
the  more  ;  fo  that  many  from  all  Parts,  coming  to  Je- 
wfalem  to  worfliip,  on  the  Day  of  Pentecoft,  the  Ho- 
ly Ghoft  fell  on  them  at  the  Preaching  of  the  Apof- 
tlesCO,  and  r^e  News  of  Salvation,  by*a  Mediaror, 
was  carried  to  all  Parts,  and  the  Number  of  Converts 
multiplied  exceedingly.  Thus,  as  the  univerfal  Mon- 
archs  fucceffively  declined,  the  Knowledge  of  Go» 
prevailed,  and  a  Door  was  opened  for  the  glorious  Pro- 
grefs  of  the  Gofpel  ;  by  which,  (according  to  the 
Promifc  of  GOD,)  the  Kingdom  and  Dominion^  and  the 
Greatnefs  ofth  Kingdom  under  the  whole  Heaven^  foall  be 
given  to  the  Saints  of  the  mofi  High,  whofe  Kingdom  is  an 

cverhjting 


(r)  A£le  ii. 


t    33     3 

rlaying  Kingdom^  and  all  Dominions  foafl  fervt  and  oley 


THE  Point  under  Consideration,  may  be  clearly 
illuftrated  from  the  RISE,  and  PROGRESS  of  the  Re- 
formation  from  Popery,  of  which  I  can  take  Time  to 
give  you  but  a  tranfient  View.  When  the  Papifs  had 
jiut  Job  n  Huftt  and  Je  rom  of  Prague  to  Death,  and  ba- 
nifhed  the  Waldenfes  from  their  Vailics,  they  rejoiced 
as  if  the  Day  was  all  their  own.  But  they  prefemly 
found  their  Miftak*  :  For  a  Spark  was  kindled  they 
could  never  totally  extinguifh,  and  the  l^alderjfes^ 
fowing  the  Seeds  of  Reformation  wherever  they  wore 
difperfed,  the  Spirit  of  Life  from  GOD  foon  re-entered 
his  Witntffzs.  The  Pope  having  prodigioufly  (trctched 
his  ufurped  Authority,  made  exorbitant  Exactions  OB 
the  Princes  of  Europe^  and  their  Subjects,  to  fupport 
his  Power  and  Grandeur.  Ambitious  France,  unwil- 
ling to  be  fo  far  under  his  Jurifdidtion  as  he  wanted, 
formed  the  Pragmatrc-fanflion,  which  contained  fundry 
Decrees  made  to  oppofe  and  reprcfs  his  avaricious 
Claims,  and  boundlefs  ftrctch  of  Power.  Their  Ex- 
ample, in  this  Inftancc,  was  afterwards  followed  b£ 
the  German-  Powers.  The  Pope  perceiving  his  Trea* 
fures,  by  this  Means  diminish,  and  that  his  lawlefs  Au- 
thority was  contemned,  dcvifes  a  new  Scheme  to  fup- 
ply  his  axhaufted  Funds,  and  fupport  his  finking  Dig- 
nity, '*  under  Pretence  of  carrying  on  a  War  with 
w  the  *7Wr*."  And  "  having  formed  the  Defign  of 
*'  going  on  with  the  magnifident  Edifice  of  St.  Peter*$ 
E  "  Church 

(/)  Daniel  vii,  .*7<, 


r  34  3 

"•  Church  at  Rome"  he  fent  ever  all  Europe  hi 
gences  and  Bulls ,  promifi  ig  Pardon  to  the  mo  ft  notoriuf 
Offenders,  who  would  give  Money  for  the  forefaid  Ules(0- 
Luther 9  a  young  popijb  A/onk,  ab'hors,  and  oppofes  rhefe 
bafe  Impofitions;  for  which,  loud  Clamors  were  raif- 
ed  by  the  Indulgence  Mongerst  and  Complaints  made  a- 
gainft  him  totheP0pe»  who  commanded  him  to  appear, 
and  anfwer  for  his  Crimes,  before  his  impure  f/clinefi, 
Thefe  Things  put  Luther  en" defending  his  Propofidonsi 
in  a  great  Number  of  printed  Thefes ;  and  the  farther 
he  fcarches  into  Truth,  he  fees  ic  more  clearly;  is  con- 
verted ;  preaches  up  Reformation,  and  foon  gets  a 
great  Number  of  all  Ranks  to  follow  and  patronise 
him  ;  particularly  the  Dakes  of  Saxony  and  Lunenberg^ 
Marquifs  of  Brandenburg,  Prince  of  Anhalt)  and  Land 
Grave  of  Hejfc  Cafe?  ;  who,  with  other  leading  Men  of 
the  Empire^  and  fourteen  free  Cities*  joining  him  in  a  Pro- 
teflation  *%ainfi  POPER.T.  Nowr,  how  evident  was 
the  Hand  of  GOD  in  this  remarkable  Chain  of  Canfes  / 
One  pwr  Monk  was  not  only  protected  and  preferved  a- 
midft  afurrounding  Croud  of  popijb  JSeafls  of  Prey ,  but 
Ufed  as  an  Inftrument  in  promoting  a  moft  glorious 
and  confounded  the  whole  See  0/Romc  i  whofe 

fitioo 

ft)  TECELIUS,  one  of  the  rfuckfters  of  thofe  Pardons,  dc- 
clanr<5,  fuch  >  as  the  Efficacy  of  thefe  Indulgences,  "  that  there 
"  ouW  be  no  Witkednefs  fo  great,  but  might  thereby  be  forgiven  ; 
*<  v  id  that  thofe  Souls  which  are  tormented  in  Purgatory,  as  foon 
«  as  the  Money  was  flung  into  the  Bafon,  /kipped  for  Joy,  and  be- 
<«  inp:  releafed  from  their  Pains,  flew  to  Rights  to  Heaven  :  Nay, 
"  tho'  one  had  ravilhed  the  Virgin  MARY  herfelf,  yet  by  thefe 
"  Bulls  he  fliould  obtain  prefent  Remiflion.  Adding,  that  if  the 
<«  Sum  were  one  Farthing  lefs  than  Ten  Shillings,  it  would  not  at 
«  all  avail  them.',  See  Hiftory  of  Popery,  VoK  II.  Pag,  307, 
30*. 


E    3*    3 

fition  to  him,  contrary  to  their  Expectations,  turned 
out  to  the  Defence,  and  brighter  Dilpfey  of  Truth  ! 
And  the  very  Means  by   which  the  Pope  attempted  to 
advance  his  Wealth  and  Power,   GOD  chofe  toriimin- 
iflibothl  The  Minds  of  the  Princes,  being  previouf- 

^  ly  Toured  by  the  Pope's  Cove  oufnefs,  and  extravagant 
Claim  of  Authority,  were  more  eafilv  won  to  embrace, 

I  and  defend,  the  Reformation  :  Thus  the  Earth  helped 


MOREOVER,  9  Wheel  within  a  Wheel,  raifed 
King  WILLIAM,  the  III.  of  England,  (ot  glorious 
Memory,  )to  deliver  the  Protcftant  Intereft  in  general, 
Ihd  particularly  in  Britain,  from  the  flaviih  Yqke  ot 
papifh  Tyranny.  I£ingCHARLEs  the  II.  that  impolitic, 
infamous  Prince,  defigning  to  give  Countenance  to  a 
popijb  Faftion  ;  ihake  off  the  Reftraints  of  a  Parliament, 
and  introduce  arbitrary  Government,  entered  into 
a  League  with  LEWIS  of  France,  to  fubdue  his  own 
Subjects  ;  in  which  League,  it  was  agreed,  firft  to  fall 
on  and  reduce  the  Netherlands,  left  they  ihould  come 
to  England's  Afiiftarce,  According'y,  the  two  trea- 
cherous Kings  go  to  War  with  the  Dutch,  and  bring 
them  to  the  very  Brink  of  Ruin.  The  Dutch,  after 
fandry  fruitlefs  Attempts  to  defend  themfelves,  chofc 
the  Prince  of  Orange  to  be  their  chief  General,  by 
whofe  Courage,  and  prudent  Conduct,  under  Provi- 
dence, the  Enemies  Troops  were  broken,  and  drove 
out  of  their  Territories.  His  Conduct  and  Succefs  in 
£  2  this 

(u)  See  thefe  Accounts  more  fully,  in  DUPIN'a  Hiftory.  Vol. 
H.  *ndHiftory  of  Popery,  VoJ.  II 


I    36    3 

this  Affair,  procured  the  young  Prince  fo  much  Cred« 
it  with  the  States-  General,  that  they  fettled  the  StadtM- 
derfcip  perpetually  on  him,  and  the  Male  Ifluc  of  his 
Family  ;  and  gave  himfo  muchlntereft  in  the  AfFecti- 
ons  ot  the  Protefants  in  England^  that  fome  ofjhcm  ex-« 
ceedingly  defired  a  Marriage  between  him  and  Prin- 
cefs  MARY,  the  Duke  of  Turk's  Daughter,  to  fecure 
a  Proteftant  Succeflion  to  the  Throne  ®f  Great  Britain, 
as  the  King  had  no  Iffue  by  his  Queen,  and  the  Duke 
was  an  avowed  Papifl.  To  this  End,  a  Scheme  waf 
wifely,  and  fecretly  laid,  fpcedily,  and  fuccefsfuliy  ex- 
ecuted, to  the  great  Confufion  of  France,  and  ail  the 
popijb  Party  in  London  ;  particularly,  the  Duke  o| 
?ork,  and  the  King  hirnfelf,  who,  rho*  he 


fent  to  the  Marriage,  yet  foon  perceived  the  Confc* 
quence  of  it.  When  the  Duke  afterwards  came  to 
the  Throne,  and  endeavoured  to  introduce  Popery, 
and  en/lave  tie  Nation,  the  Proteflant  Party,  ift  Britain^ 
fent  for  the  Prince  of  Orange,  who,  in  a  fticcefsful 
Voyage,  foon  made  the  britifi}  Shore,  vanquished  the 
K;ng's  Army  ;  afcended  the  Throne  ;  humbled  the/w- 
fifh  Party  ;  defended  and  promoied  the  Proteftant  Jnter- 
eft(w}\  the  happy  EfFeclsof  wfiich,  the  Church  has 
ever  fince  experienced.  What  Reafon  have  Britons  ; 
what  Reafon  has  every  true  Protefiant,  and  what  Rea- 
fon have  we  this  Day,  to  rejoice,  and  adore  divine 
Goodnels,  that  by  a  Concurrence  of  fo.  mar.yCaufes,  and 
Events,  fundry  of  which  feemed  rather  to  rhraten  the 
Churches  Ruin,  wrought  fuch  a  glorious  Deliver  ance  for 
far.' 

A 

(w)  See  BiAop  BURNET's  ecdefiaftical  Hiftory,  Vol.  W, 


r  37  i 

A  REMARKABLE  Chain  of  Caufet^  formed  PrttJTta  in« 
toaKingdom,  fitred  herHERo  for,  and  advanced  him 
t    to  that  Sphere  of  Dignity,  in  which  he  fo  gforibufly 
moves,  and  fpreads  Confafion  on  CHRIST'S  Enemies, 
andhj|pwn.     His  Predcceflors,  the  Electors  of  £r*»» 
denbur^  were  notable  for  defending,  and   pcmotipg, 
the   Pratt 'ftant  fntereft  \  by  which   they  attracted   the 
Hearts  of  Protefantt  to  them.     No  Koufe  in  Germany 
produced  Princes  of  greater  Merit  than  this,  who  dif- 
i died  r  emfelves  for  theirValour;  Skill  in  military 
AftYirs  and  Politics;  great  Learning;  admirable  Elo- 
quence, and  ftrift  Juftice ;  whereby,  they  not  only 
advanced  their  Glory,  but  greatly  extended  their  Do* 
minions  ;  were  a  Terror  to  their  Enemies,  and  much 
cfteemed  by  their  Friends.     FREDERICK  the  III.  the 
prefcnr  King  of  Pruffia's Grandfather,  having  had  great 
Succefs  in  his  Government,  and  moved  to  it,  as  ibme 
Suppofe,  from  feeing  King  WILLIAM,  on  Account  of 
his  royal  Dignity/  feared    on  an    Arm  Chair,  at    a 
fplende  1  Congrefs  of  Princes,  re folved  to  take  the  Title 
of  King  of  Pmilia  ;  which,  after  confiderable  Oppofi- 
tion,  he  obtained,  thro' fome  ftrange  Incidents.     By 
this  Means,  he  greatly  encreafed  his  Power,  and  ex- 
tended his  Territories ;  was  rtvjeh    more   prized  as 
a  Friend,  and  feared  as  an  Enemy.     And,  tho*  ths 
Obfcurity  and  Dif^race  of  the  prefent  King  cf  Prvjjix, 
during  his  Father's  Reign,  Teemed  to  fpread  a  difcou- 
raging  Gloom  over  the  young  Prince  ;  yet,  by  the 
over-rulling  Hand  of  Providence,  his  Difficulties  only 
proved  tne  Occafion  of  his  acquiring  a  large  Acquaint- 
ance with  Learning,  and  with  Mankind;  with  the  De- 
fects, 


t    38    I 

fe&s,  as  well  as  the  Myfteries  of  Government ;  which 
have  been  Means  of  farther  qualifying  him  for  his  wife 
Adminiftration  of  Governmenr,  and  glorious  Achieve- 
ments in  War,  that  fo  juftly  aftonifli  all  Europe.  Thi? 
quick-fi^hted  Prince,  early  di&overed,  by  forne  re- 
markable T-irns  of  Providence,  the  hellifli  Defifns  of 
the  Courts  of  Vitnna,  Petersburg,  Drefden>  and  P'erfatlles, 
to  ruin  the  Proteftant  Intereft,  and  fpoil  him  of  hb  Do- 
minions ;  fo  prevent  Which,  he  ipecdily  entered  into 
wife  Meafures,  which,  thro*. the  fmiles  of  Heaven, 
he  has  hitherto  fuccefsfully  executed(*).  And  I  h  >pe 
that  this,  and  fucceedin^  Generations,  will  have  Rea- 
fon  to  blefsGoD,  for  raifing  him  up  to  defend  his  own 
Caufe.  O  !  how  ftrangely  does  the  Wheel  of  Provi- 
dence turn,  to  raife  up,  and  fit  Inftrumenrs,  to  do  hi? 
Work,  and  ferve  the  Interefts  of  his  Kingdom  ! 

I  SHALL  finifli  the  doctrinal  Part  of  this  Difcourfe, 
with  the  folio  wing  Remark,  viz.  th^tQoD  the  Father, 
has  devolved  upon  JESUS  CHRIST,  hisSon,  as  a  Branch 
of  hu  mediatorial  Glory ,  the  Management  of  all  Things 
that  have,  in  any  Refpeft,  a  Reference  to  k:s  Church  • 
Jill  Power  in  Heaven  and  Earth,  »  given  unto 
We  Don  of  tbe  Tribe  of  Judak^  the  Root  of  Dawd, 
prevailed  to  open  the  Bookt  and  to  locfe  the  feven  Seals  there- 
of(z),  /.  e.  CHRIST  JESUS  MEDIATOR,  has  obtained. 
Authority  of  his  Fatherj  to  difclofe  all  the  Defigns  of 

Heaven, 

(x)  Time  will  not  admit  me  to  treat  of  thefe  Affairs  largely  ; 
but  for  a  m®re  full  Account  of  them,  fee  the  Hiftory  of  the  prefent 
State  of  EUR  OPE,  the  Gentleman's  MAGAZINES,  and  the  Life 
of  the  King  of  PRUSSIA. 

(y)  Matthew  xxviii.  18,       (z)  Revelations  v.  £. 


t    39    3 

Heaven,  in  the  Womb  of  Providence,  relating  to  his 
Church,  and  its  Concerns :  A  Truft  that  none  couid 
manage  but  himfelf !  £&e&/e/faw,  in  this  Vifion  of  the 
Wheels,  above  the  Appearance  «f  a  Firmament,  that  was 
*ver  &*  he  ad;  of  the  living  Creatures,  the  Liken  ffs  of  a 
|  %hrone>  upon  which  was  the  Lihenefs  as  the  Appearance  of 
a  Man  above  stpcn  ii(^) ;  /.  e.  JESUS  CHRIST  as  GOD 
MAN,  fits  enthroned  in  Heaven,  inverted  with  Power 

kto  vindicate  his  own  Honor,  in  thcPunifhment  of  fome 
and  Deliverance  of  others,  by  his  Providence. %%* 
Color  of  ^mbert  as  the  Appearance  of  Fire  was  round  about 
•within  it^b)  ;  which  Metaphors  reprcfent  the  Auguft- 
nefs  of  his  Majefty  who  conduces  the  Wheels,  and 

i  his  flaming  Indignation  againft  Rebels.  Yet  Glory  to 
our  GOD,  as  the  Appearance  of  the  Bow  that  is  in  the 
Cloud  in  the  Day  of  Rain,  fj  was  the  Appearance  of  the 

P  Brightnejs  round about{C\  which  teaches  as,  that  JESUS 
fets,  in  the  Firmament  of  his  Church,  the  Bow  of  his 
Covenant,  fparkling  with  the  Brightnefs  of  Mercy, 
Grace,  and  Truth  of  Covenant  Promifes.  There- 
fore his  People  have  Ground  of  ftrong  Confolation 
refpefting  themfelves,  in  particular,  and  the  Church, 
in  general  ;  for  they  mail  be  protected  and  preserved 
amidft  the  moft  terrible  Storms  of  Indignation  that 
rage  through  the  World,  ^ho*  the  Earth  be  move^ 
And  the  Mountains  be  carried  into  the  miaft  of  the  Sea  ;  tho* 
the  M  aters  thereof  roar,  and  the  Mountains  jbake  with  the 
fwellivq  thereof  ;  there  is  a  River ,  the  Streams  whereof  Jhatt 
wake  glad  the  City  of  GOD :  <fi>e  holy  Place  of  the  Taberna- 
cles 

(a)  Verfe,  a6.     (b)  Vcife,  9,7,    (c)  Vcrfc,  *1. 


C    4®    3 

tkf  of  the  MOST  HIGH.  GOD  is  in  the  midfi  of 
Jhe  {hail  not  be  moved ;  GOD  foall  help  her,  and  that 
<?4r/y(.d).  Hen^the  Devil,  the  Pope,  and  the  French 
King,  may  fbrnx  their  TRIPLE-ALLIANCE,  to  exrin- 
guiflithe  Proteftant  Lamp,  to  which,  thiir  blinded  Vo- 
taries too,  may  add  all  their  Strength  ;  yet,  tho*  they  J 
fffift)  they  cannot  deftroy  the  Church  ;  for  he  that  fits 
on  the  Throne,  has  fixed  in  her  Firmament,  this  large 
and  bright  Bow,  THE  GATES  OE  HEJLL  SHALL  NOT 

LIL  AGAINST  IT(e). 


IMPROVEMENT. 

1.  FROM  what  has  been  faid,  we  infer  the  Being  of 
*  GOD.     To  uphold  this  (lately  Fabric,  and  maintain 
its  comely  Or  ler,  exceeds  all  created  Strength,  and 
Wifftom.     The  Characters  of  infinite  Counfel,  and 
Almighty  Power,  irnpreflfed  on  the  Works  of  Provi- 
dence, glorioufly  proclaim  the  A£ts  of  an  invifible,  in- 
dependent Caufe. 

2.  To  GOD  we  owe  ail  Homage,  and  Obedience ; 
for  he  alone  is  our  fovereigw  LORD,     To  give  Being, 
and  preferve  it,  gives  him  an  indiflolvable  Right  to  the 
Services  of  all  intelligent  Creatures. 

3.  HENCE   we  learn  alfo,  the  furpafllng  Conde- 
fcenfions  of  JEHOVAH.     He  mud  Stoop  to  obferva  the 
lojty  Heavens  ;  bow  to  view  exalted  Seraphs :  How   low, 

then, 

(d)  Pfalm  xlvj,  *,  3,  4,  5.      (e)  Matthew  xvi,  if. 


f 


t    4*     3 

then,  muft  the  LORD  of  all  Things  bend,  wben  he 
eafts  down  his  £>es  to  our  pnjul  Earth! 

•:- 

4.  WHAT  a  curious  Piece  of  Workmanfhip  is  the 
Whctl  of  divine  Providence!  Almighty  Power,  fpotlcft 
Holinefs,    inflexible  Juftice,    beneficient    Goodnefst 
dreadful  Majefty,  exquifire  Wifdom,  and  furprixing 
Myfteries,  meec  in  it,  and  fhine  with  orient  Lufler .' 
The  fame  and  different  Caufes  and  Incidents,  of  the 
fame  and  different  Tendencies,  concur  to  bring  to  pafs 
the  lame  grand  Events,  while  they  produce  many  other 
lei*  principle  Effects  !  O  the  Depth  of  the  Riches  both  of 
the  Wifdom  and  Knowledge  of  GOD  /  Bow  unfearcbablt 
are  his  Judgment st  and  his  Ways  paffnding  out  ! 

5.  OUR  Subject  fpeaks  Comfort  to  every  Child  of 
GOD.     The  Shepherd  ofjfrael,  that  never Jlumbers  not 

Jleepst  guards  all  your  Jlumbering  and  waking  //ww(f). 
Therefore  you  need  not  fear  the  Terror  of  the  Night ;  nor 
ths  Arrow  that  fies  by  Day  !  His  Feathers  fhall  be  thy 
Cover;  thy  Reft  the  Shadow  of  hit  fTi0g(&  !  If  you 
walk  through  the  Fire  and  the  Water,  they  fliall  not 
hurtyouCfc)  /  And  in  the  Valley  of  the  Sbadow  of  Deatkt 
his  Rod  and  Staff  jball  be  your  Comfort(i)  I 

6.  OUR  Subject  reproves  [i]  thofe  who  are  Dif- 
contcnt,  and  murmur  at  divine  Difpen fat ions.     Not  be- 
ing fawned  with  theRefultof  his  Providence,  you  en- 
ter on  GOJ&'S  prerogative,  and  attempt  to  take  the 

F  Reins 

(f)  Pfalm  cxxi.  (g)  Pfalm  xc,          (h)  Ifaiah  xliii,  a» 

(i)  Pfalm  xxiiii  4, 


C    4*   J 

,• 

Reins  of  Government  out  of  his  Hand!  [2]  It  reproves 
thofe  that  are  fall  of  defponding  Frars,  finking  Dif- 
couragement,  and  anxious  overwhelming  Cares,  re- 
fpedting  Events.  In  this  you  diltruft  divine  Power"'* 
and  Goodnefs,  that  deaths  the  Grafs  of  'the  Field)  and 
takes  Care  of  Sparrows  ;  and,  if  you  caft  your  Care  up- 
on him,  will  much  more  provide  for  you,  O  ye  of  little 
Faith(\C)!  [3]  Oar  Subjeft  reproves  thofe  who  regard 
not  the  Works  of  the  LORD,  nor  the  Operation  of  his 
Hands(\\  and  are  always  feverely  blaming  the  real  or 
fuppofed  Authors  of  their  Grievances,  but  do  not  ob- 
ferve  the  Hand  oi  GOD,  in  thus,  puniftiing  them  for 
Their  Iniquities.  Such  practically  difown  a  GOD,  and 
a  Providence ;  therefore  they  are  deftitule  of  real  Re- 
ligion. Even  "  natural  Religion  is  founded  on  the 
"  Belief  of  a  GOD,  and  a  Providence ;  for  if  there  be 
"  no  GOD,  there  is  no  Objtcl:  of  our  Worfhip  ;  and 
"  if  there  be  no  Providence,  there  is  no  Reafon  for 
"  our  Worfhip . "  O  practical  Atheifts,  confider  that 
you  have  to  do  with  a  GOD,  who  is  jealous  for  his  Glory  ; 
neither  is  there  any  Darknefs  or  Shadow  of  Death,  whcrt 
you  can  hide  yourfehes  from  the  View  of  his  all-piercing 
Eye,  or  the  Reach  of  his  Almighty  Power  !  If  you  of- 
cend  Heaven*  he 'is  there  ;  if  y OK  make  your  Bed  in  Hell,  h 
fa  is  there!  Jf  you  take  the  Wings  of  the  Morning,  and 
dwell  in  the  uttermofi  Parts  vf  the  Sea  ;  even  there  jhall  hij 
Hand  lead  you,  and  his  right  Handfnd  you  <w*(m)  /  By 
contemning  and  difregarding  his  Works,  you  kindle 
bis  Wrath,  and  dafliagainft  Ten  Thoufand  Terrors. 

Humble 

(k)  Matthew  vi.      (I)  pfajm  Xxviiif  5,     (m)  Pfalm  cxxxix, 
7>  *>  9>  *°»  H.  I*. 


I    43    3 

Humble    yourfelves  then,    before  your  Preferver, 
your  Maker,  and  your  Judge. 

7.     FROM  what  has  been  faid,  be  excited  to  a  dut 
Performance  of  the  Duties  you  owe  to  Providence, 

1.  SENSIBLE,  that  on  it  you  live,    and,    by  its 
Bounty,  enjoy  all  you  do,  or  can    pofTefs,  fix   your 
whole   Dependence  on  Providence.     If  you   place  your 
Truft  in  it,  the  -ingel  of  the  LOR  DJhail  compafs  you  about> 
and  deliver  you  from  all  Evil,     tfbe  young  Li\,iu   may  be 
hungry  and  lack  their  Food,  but  ycujbailnot  want  any  Good 
Zhing(n}.     The  LORD  will  grant  ail  your  Dwfires,  or 
deny  them  with  greater  Wifdom  and  Goodnefs,  than 
he  could  grant  them. 

2.  SUBMISSION  is  another  Duty  you  owe  to  Pro- 
vidence. 

ALL  Events  are  the  LORD's  Doings ,  and  what  he 
does,  is  his  Will  ;  therefore  in  afflidive,  as  well  as 
profperous  Circumftances,  youfhould  ever  fay,  Good  if 
theWillof  the  LORD-,  let  him  do  what  feemeth  himGood(Q}. 
He  has  a  Right  to  difpofe  of  your  Perfons,  and  For- 
tunes in  the  World,  as  he  pleafes :  In  every  <Ihingt 
then,  that  befals  you,  his  Sovereign  Authority  re- 
quires you  to  be  dumb,  and  not  open  your  Mouths  ;  becaufe 
be  did  /Xp)*  ^/  which  you  are  not  to  undcrftand, 
that  you  fliouid  not  feel  your  Jffliftipns,  nor  cry  for  Deli- 
F  z  verance 

(n)  Pfalm  xxxiv.  7,  8,  9,  lo,      (o)  I,  Samuel  iii,  1$, 
fp)  Pfalm  xxxix.  9* 


IL    44    J 

No  j  Submiflion  is  not  that  dull  A- 
pathy,  fome  miftake  it  for  :  It  is  equally  oppofed  to 
cenfuring  divine  Conduct  on  the  one  Hand,  and  ftoical  Stu- 
pidity on  the  other.  It  cpnfifts  in  the  Yielding  of  the 
Heart  to  Sovereignty,  or  the  Resignation  of  the  Will, 
to  the  Will  of  GOD.  Now,  fhe  Heart  may  be  fatisfi- 
cd  that  GOD  fliould  do  what  he  pleafes,  becaufe  this  is 
becoming  his  MajeRy,  while  yet  Nature  may  cra.vet  and 
the  tongue  plead  for  Relief  :  O  my  Father,  (  fay  s  CH  *  i  s  T  ) 
if  it  be  pofftble  let  this  Cup  pafs  front  me:  Nevertkclejj,  poj 
as  I  willt  but  as  thou 


3.  You  fliould  obferve,  and  make  proper 
on  the  Motion  of  the  Wheels  towards  yourfelves,  and  o- 
thers,  that  you  may  under/land  the  loving  Kindnefs  of  thf 
LORD(r\  and  be  anfwerabty  affefied  by  it.  How  un- 
fpeakable  the  Mercy,  that  the  Womb  of  Providence 
gavcyouExiftence  in  a  Land  of  Vipm  /  Thar  you  were 
educated  within  the  vipble  Church  ,  and  enjoy  its  Privi- 
leges !  Have  been  often  delivered  from  Dangers,  and 
fnatched  from  the  y<**w  °f  Death]  How  confpicuous 
may  you  fee  the  Hand  of  GOD,  in  the  Choice  of  your  Com- 
panions in  Life,  the  Sharers  of  your  Joys  and  Cares  ! 
Fixing  the  Bounds  of  your  Habitation  /  Appointing  you 
to  your  feveral  Offices,  and  Employments  in  Life  /  With 
what  Plcafure  may  you  recount  your  feveral  perfonal, 
dome/lie,  and  relative  Mercies  /  May  not  fome  of  you 
cfpecially  remark  the  particular  Kindnefs  of  GOD  to 
you,  in  affording  you  the  Opportunity  of  hearing  fuch 
Sermons,  or  directing  your*  Eyes  to  fuck  Lines  and  Pages, 

as 

fq)  Matthew  xtvi.  29*        (r)  Pfalm  cvii.  4«. 


I    4?    3 

as  convinced  you  of  your  lof  State  fy  Nature,  and 
taught  you  the  Knowledge  of  CHRIST  a  SAVIOUR  ! 

You  ihould  alfo  obferve  divine  Conduct  cowards 
you,  in  your  various  Jffliftions.  May  not  foroe  of  you 
have  Matter  of  daily  Humiliation,  by  viewing  the  Spe- 
cies and  Bafenefs  of  your  Crimes  ftaraped  on  the  Pun  - 
ijhment  of  them  ?  And  may  you  not  fee  divine  Goodneft 
in  your  greatefl  Pains  and  DtJ  appointments  ?  What  aw- 
ful Lengths  would  you  have  ftrayed  in  Sin,  had  not 
the  Voice  ofJffliSion  recalled  you  to  your  MAKER  ! 

MOREOVER,  many  Things  worthy  your  Notice, 
that  refoe&  the  public^  have  fell  out  in  our  Day:  The 
Divifions  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  together  with  the 
Re-union  of  the  moft  confiderable  Body  of  it,  in  our 
Land,  deferve  the  Attention  of  all  that  wi^h  well  to  Zi- 
PN.  But  it  will  not  comport  with  my  Defign  in  this 
Difcourfe,  to  enlarge  on  this  particular  ;  therefore,  I 
fhall  only  add,  [i,J  that  the  LORD  has  been  teaching 
her  Sons,  to  beware  of  defacing  her  Beauty  by  Scbifm, 
and  not  to  provoke  him  by  their  Luxuriancy%  andSecu- 
fhy>  to  fmite  her  with  Breaches.  [2,]  Let  me  intreat 
her  Members,  to  do  Nothing  that  may  have  a  Ten* 
dcncy  to  open  her  clofed  Wounds,  and  mike  them 
bleed  a  frcfli  again  ;  left,  together  with  the  many  o- 
ther  Evils,  that  may  be  the  Confequence  of  t 
o  it  to  their  own  Gonfttpon, 


WITH  equal  Pleafure  and  Admiration,  may  we  ob- 
ferve the  Motion  of  the  Wheels,  in  planting  Churches, 

and 


C    4*    ] 

and  erefting  Schools  of  Learning  in  the  Wildernefs,  that, 
not  long  fince,  was  enly  the  Haunt  of  Savages,  and 
wild  Beafts  of  Prey;  by  which  Means,  theDefarrand 
folitary  Places,  have  been  made  to  bloflbm  and  bud  as  a 
Rofe,  and  lift  up  the  Voice  with  Joy  and  Singing  ! 
And  let  it  never  be  forgotten,  that  a  gracious  GOD  has 
vifited  our  Land  with  a  remarkable  Difplay  of  his  rich 
Grace  j  in  the  aiuaknmg^  and  Converjion  of  many  !  Un- 
expectedly raifsd  up  fundry  faithful  Inftrumentst  to 
proclaim  the  riches  of  his  Mercy,  thro*  CHRIST,  to  a 
guilty  World!  And  furpmingly  opened  a  Door  for  the 
joyful  Reception  of  the  Gcfpel  in  many  Parts  of  the  Land^ 
that  knew  little  about,  and  made  as  little  Account-  of 
Religion  ',  fo  that  the  poor  People,  that  fat  in  Dark- 
nefs,  now  enjoy  a  marvelous  Light,  and  have  their  ri- 
fmgOff-fpring  educated  in  the  precious  truths  of  our 
LORD  JESUS  CHRIST  ! 

THE  late  Motions  of  the  Wheels,  which  have  rifen 
fo  high,  that  indeed  they  are  become  dreadful,  affords  a 
large  Scope  of  Thought  to  every  attentive  Mind  !  A 
few  French  and  Englijk'  Traders  difputed  the  Indian 
Trade  on  Ohio  ;  the  News  of  which  reaching  the  Ears 
of  their  refpedive  Sovereigns,  they  become  fufpicious 
of  each  other's  Views,  and  growing  Power,  form,  and 
profecute  Defigns  accordingly  !  From  this  Spark,  a 
Flame  has  flaflied  with  Vengeance  over  the  Eaf  and 
ieS)  the  wide  Ocean,  and  many  Parts  of  Eu- 


rope !  The  Defolations  of  War  have  fpread  Horror  a- 
round  us  !  Our  Frontiers  are  wrecked  !  Numerous 
Societies  fcattered.'  Some  of  our  Brethren  inhumanely 

«  bsLchered 


C    47    3 

butchered  by  the  Heathen  !  Others  carried  into  dole- 
ful Captivity!  Our  Schemes  were  baffled,  and  Attempts 
to  defend  our felves  generally  abortive  .'  Our  Armies 
fell  before,  or  ihamcfully  rurned  their  Backs  on  theE- 
nemy  !  The  Heavens  refufed  their  nourifhing  Influ- 
ences, and  the  Earth  has  been  in  a  Manner  parched 
and  barren  !  a  Brokennefsin  Judgment  diftrafted  our 
Legiflatures,  and  unnatural  Difputes  retarded  their 
Bufinefs,  when  the  Neceiliry  of  the  Times  called  for 
Action !  The  moft  potent  Nations  of  Europe  joined  in 
League  todeltroy  the  Protefant  Intereft,  whik  iundry 
of  its  profefled  Friends,  either  ftood  Neuter,  or  aided 
the  Enemy  !  Under  thefe  Afflictions,  we  have  been 
guilry  of  an  awful  mifimprovement  of  the  Rod ;  a- 
bounding  Iniquities,  the  Source  of  our  Miferies,  and 
Heaven  daring  Impenitence !  And  now  what  could  rea- 
fonably  be  expected  as  the  Refult  of  all  this,  but  that 
our  Plagues  fliould  become  wonderful !  But,  O '  ever 
adorable,  undefervcd  Mercy  !  In  the  midft  of  thofe 
Clouds  of  Darknefs  and. Diftrcfs,  a  glorious  Door  of 
Hope  opens  to  us !  Our  Ships  of  War  are  Mafters  at 
Sea  !  Our  Armies  and  Fleets  wafte,  and  put  into  Con- 
fufion,  the  French  Coafts !  Our  Cou-nlels  are  more  vi- 
gorous, and  unanimous  !  Our  Armies  and  Attics  in 
Germany  fupported  and  fucceded,  next  to  a  Miracle  ! 
The  important  Forrrefs  of  Louhbottrg  is  now  in  our 
Hands  !  Frontenaci%  demolifhed  !  And  the  britijb  Flag 
fliers  in  Triumph  over  the  Ruins  oif  Fort 
(now  Pitts-burg!) 


How. 


C    48    ] 

How  evident  may  we  fee  the  Hand  of  Got>  in  all 
thefeSucceflcs !  What  fearful  Havock  was  made  (by  an 
inconfiderable  Number)  among  our  large  ft  Army  on 
the  Continent,  under  the  Direction  of  the  Command- 
er in  Chief!  While  the  brave  General  Jmberflt  with 
the  lofs  of  very  few  Livcs»  fooh  reduced  Cape- Briton, 
notwithftanding  the  prodigious  Strength  of  its  Fortifi- 
cations, and  tho*  the  Rougbnefs  of  the  raging  Billows, 
and  fo  many  terrible  Inftruments  of  Death,  obftruded 
the  Landing  of  his  Troops  !  Colloncl  Rradjireet$  with 
hi«  Troops,  penetrating  Canada,  undifcovered  to  our 
unfpeakable  Advantage,  deftroyed  the  Enemies  Forti- 
fications, and  Shipping,  and  quite  difconcerted  their 
Schemes !  And  did  not  General  Forbes,  tho'  in  a 
weakly  State  of  Health,  his  Army  being  in  great  Want 
of  Provisions  and  other  NeceiTaries,  march  them,  in 
a  cold  Seafon,  through  the  Wildernefs,  to  attack  the 
Enemy  ;  in  which  Circumftances,  they  could  not  pof- 
fibly  have  flood  a  long  Siege  \  But  the  LORD  fought 
for  them  ;  for  their  Terror  fo  feixed  the  Enemy,  that 
they  abandoned  to  our  Forces  the  Refuge  of  Mur- 
derers ! 

THUS,  as  is  his  ufual  Method,  GOD  has  made  us 
fng  of  Mercy  and  of  Judgment ;  wounded,  before  he 
healed  us ;  diftrefled,  before  he  granted  Deliverance; 
that  our  Eyes  might  be  turned  to  himfelf  as  the  Au- 
thor of  our  Salvation,  and  we  prixethc  Goodnefsthat 
granted  it  the  more. 


t    49    ] 

4^     THANKSGIVING  is  another  Duty  we  owe  td 
Providence. 

PRAISE  is  comely,  and  befits  our  Lip*,  who  are 
the  Partakers  of  fo  many  Mercies,  perfonal,  family, 
and  national.  Difpleafed  tieaven  fought  for  us,  in 
Queen  ELIZABETH'S  Time,  by  deftroying  the  prodi- 
geous  fpanifo  Fleet,  impioufly  called  the  invincible  4r- 
rnaday  which  wasequiped  of  Defign  to  make  an  intire 
Cornsjueft  of  England  !  Remarkably  was  our  Nation  de- 
livered from  the  terrible  Confequence  of  the  Gun- 
powder Plot!  In  what  Mercy  to  us,  as  well  as  Indigna- 
tion againft  them,  did  divine  Vengeance  fweep  from 
the  Throne  and  Ifland  of  Britain,  rhepopiih,  faithlels, 
and  bloody  Houfe  of  SffEtPARVS  !  In  Queen  ANNE'S 
Time,  when  Schemes  were  laid  to  bring  in  the  Prcten- 
der,  how  feafonably  did  Providence  intcrpofe  for  our 
Relief,  by  fuddenly  taking  away  the  Life  oftheQueen, 
and  advancing  to  the  Throne  ot  Britain,  King  GEORGE 
the  I. 


Nofc.  caw  we  ever  fufficiently  prize  our   Mercy, 

that,  under  the  mild  Reign  of  our  prefent  .Sovereign, 

G  King 


(0  The  King  was  by  Inheritance  from  his  Father,  Duke  of 
P.RUNSWICK-LUNENBERG,  and  EJeftor  of  HANOVER  5  by 
his  Mother,  the  Trincefs  SOPHIA,  Daughter  to  FREDERICK, 
K'ng  of  BOHEMIA,  by  ELIZABETH  STEWART,  Daughter 
to  King  JAMES  the  I.  of  ENGLAND,  and  VI.  of  SCOTLAND. 
He  had  in  him  the  Royal  Blood  of  three  confidera-ble  Kingdoms  of 
EUROPE,  viz.  ENGLAND,  SCOTLAND,  and  BOHEMIA. 
And  as  he  Was  nobly  elcfcended,  fo  being  the  next  Prbteflant  Heir  to 
the  Crown,  he  had  an  undoubted  Right  to  it  by  Lineage*  as  well  ai 
by  th«  unanimous  Genfent  of  the  Peojple, 


C    5®    3 

King  GEORGE  the  II.  we  enjoy  Privileges,  exceeding 
thole  of  anyother  Nation  upon  Eirch  !  And  is  it  not 
yec  frefii  in  our  Memory,  fro;n  what  raighry  Fears 
the  LORD  delivered  us,  when  the  Rebels  were  defeat- 
ed in  the  laft  War,  and  the  Pretender  fl^d  the  Kingdom  ! 
By  thefe,  and  many  other  kind  Interpositions  of  his 
Hand,  has  GOD  maintained  the  Throne,  and  guarded 
the  Coaffs  of  Britain  !  Supported  thi  Church,  and 
tranfmitied  the  pure  Riys  ofGofpel  Light  to  Pojlerity  ! 
Delivered  us  from  the  Bandage  of  arbitrary  Government  y 
and  the  yet  mere  to  be  dreaded  Bondage  of  popijh  Vy- 
raxny!  Befides,  our  feveral  Succcffes  thi*  Campaign, 
Strenthen  the  enervated  Springs  of  our  Hope,  and  af- 
ford us  new  Matter  of  Praife  ! 

THE  terrible  Mafacre  of  Protejlants  in  Paris,  by 
LEWIS  the  XIV.  of  France;  the  late  fevere  Pcrfecu- 
tion  under  LEW  is  the  XV.  the  Fires  of  Smith- field,  in 
vicked  Queen  MARY'S  Reign;  and  all  the  tragical 
Scene  of  Blood- flied,  in  Britain,  and  Ireland,  fince  the 
Reformation,  teach  us  what  we  had  to  expect  frompo- 
pifb  Conquerors^  had  we  been  delivered  as  a  Prey  to 
their  Teeth  ! 

UP  to  him  then,  rhat  views  our  Nation  from  his 
lofty  Throne,  and  dtftributes  to  it  with  a  liberal  Hand  ; 
let  our  unceajtng  Praifes  afcend,  and  tell  the  Largenefs  of 
lois  Bounty  !  Not  in  Bacchanalian  Routs,  mingling  with 
the  Notes  of  Drunkards,  while  we  profufely  wafte  the 
Bounties  of  Providence,  which,  alas !  is  the  Prac- 
tise of- tea- many  i  but  with  a  fcrious  thankful  Senfe  of 

divine 


C    $1     3 

divine  Benignity  on  our  Heart",  exprefled  by  warm 
Devotion  to  GODy  in  public,  and  in  private. 

5.  THE  prefenf,  as  well  as  the  former  Morions  of 
the  Wheels,  loudly  proclaim  to  us  che  NeceJJity  of  Re- 
formation. The  LORD'S  Voles  cn?tl>  unto  the  Cityt  and 
(to  the  Country  too,)  the  Man  of  U'rifdom  [hall  fee  bis 
Name:  Hear  ye  the  Rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  #(t). 

THO*  he  has  begun  to  deliver  us,  the  War  is  not 
yet  over;  and  what  Turn  Aftairs  may  take,  ortowhat 
farther  dreadful  Heights  the  Wheels  may  arife,  be- 
fore the  bloody  Scene  will  be  drawn,  GOD  only  knows. 
But  this  we  may  know,  that  the  Fury  of  his  Jealoufy 
has  not  awaked  without  Caufe  ;  for  Afflictions  do  not 
Arife  out  of  the  Dufl :  He  ever  takes  up  the  Rod  for  fome 
Reafon,  and  with  fome  Deiign.  AU  Ranks  and  De- 
grees of  Men,  in  our  Land,  and  Nation,  have  abound- 
ed in  profane  Practices  of  every  Kind,  Drunkenneft, 
Unclcannefs,  Sabbath  breaking,  Blafphemy,  Lying, 
profane  Swearing,  Defrauding,  Opprcffion,  Pride, 
Luxury,  &c  /  We  have  abufed  the  greateft  Mercies, 
fpiritual  and  temporal.  And,  while  Iniquity  has  a- 
bounded,  the  Love  of  many  has  waxed  cold  !  Genr.le- 
men  of  Eafe  and  Pleafure,  have  formed  to  themftlves 
a  Set  of  Principles,  that  fute  their  vicious  depraved  Dzfpo- 
ftioru!  Alas  !  to  what  a  dreadful  Pitch  has  the  Contempt 
of  all  revealed  Religion  arifen,  in  many  Parts  of  the 
.britifo  Dominions  !  Many  have  rejcded  the  Foundation 
Articles  of  the  Goftel,  in  Place  of  which,  they  have  in- 
*  G  z  traduced 

(t)  Micah.  vi.  9. 


I  52  ] 

produced  Heathen  Morals,  new  vamped  with  the 
of  CHRIST,  thurft  by  Force,  or  accidentally  dropped 
into  them  !  Have  not  practical  and  experimental  Religion 
fceen  the  Scoff  of  an  ungodly  World  ;  and  pious  Mep 
their  Derijion  !  A  due  Attendance  on  divine  Ordinances 
has  been  faaly  negk fad,  by  Multitudes,  and  fcorned  by 
the  Jaty  rising  Wits  of  the  ^ge(u).  Be  {ides,  we  have 
been  awfully  guilty  of  contemning,  and  neglecting  di- 
vine Providence  :  Our  Fleets  and  great  Armaments 
have  been  boafted  in,  and  our  public  Prints  iweile/i 
with  the  Achievements,  and  Mifcarrjages  of  Mortals, 
while  the  Hand  of  GOD,  in  thofe  Things,  has  been  lit- 
tle regarded  !  In.  Fine,  our  rejecting  CHRIST,  and  mak- 
ing light  of  the  Offers  of  Salvation  by  kirn,  has  put  the 
Cape-lrone  on  all  our  other  Prove  cuions  !  Thcfe, 
with  many  other  Evils,  have  provoked  JEHOVAH  to 

unflieath 


(u)  Will  fuck  advance  as  the  Reafon  of  their  Conduct,  that  they 
know  already  all  that  the  filly  Preacher  can  tell  them,  or  his  plain 
and  home  Method  of  dealing  with  Mankind  ?  But  let  them  know, 
that  by  this  Method  of  Preaching  they  efteem  Fooli/hnefs,  GOD 
faves  them  that  believe.  That  DAVID,  the  King  of  ISRAEL, 
the  Type  of  CHRIST,  and  infpired  Prophet,  who  was  wil'er  than 
all  his  Teachers,  Pfalm  cxix.  99.  and  much  greater  than  our  Ob- 
jectors ran  pretend  to  bf,  longed,  jea  even  fainted.,  for  the  Courts  of 
the  LORD,  Pfalm  xlii.  I,  i,  and  Ixxxiv.  2.  Divine  Ordinances 
are  the  Means  by  which  GOD  gives  his  People  Difcovcries  of  his 
Beauty,  and  a  Tafte  of  his  Love,  Pfalm  xxvii.  4.  Cant,  ii  4,  5. 
therefore  did  DAVID  prize  a  Day  in  GOD's  Houfe  better  than  .1 
Thoufand  ';  and  a  Door-keeper's  Place  there,  rather  than  to  dwell 
in  all  the  fplendid  Tents  of  Wickednefs,  Pfalm  Ixxxiv.  IO.  So  would 
our  fneering  Gentlemen  too,  if  they  loved  the  LORD  ;  but  their 
hating  him,  and  preferring  their  carnal  Eafe,  and  obfcene  Impuri- 
ties to  him,  is  the  true  Reafon  of  r he ;r  Conduct,  if  all  the  Truth 
was  known  5  for  I  can  appeal  to  themfelves,  whether  they  do  not  de- 
fire  to  be,  where  they  may  have  an  Opportunity  of  feeing,  ?ind  cori- 
veHing  with  the  Perfcns  thsy  love. 


C    53     ] 

pnflieath  the  Sword  of  Juftlce,  and  ftain  it  with  the 
Blood  of  the  Slain  !  And  would  to  GOD,  we  had  fuffi- 
cient  Ground,  in  Charity,  to  exclude  them  from  the 
fiench,  the  Bar,  the  Counfel  Chamber,  or  even  from  the 
Pulpit ! 

REFORMATION,  or  Judgment,  is  the  End  for  which 
GOD  afflitts  uj  ;  and  if  we  fail  of  the  former,  have  we 
notjuft  Reafon  to  fear  the  latter  *  But  are  we  reform- 
ed 1  A  few,  I  hope,  are;  but,  (alas!)  that  is  far  from 
anfwering  our  Calls  I  Our  Provocations,  our  Punifli- 
rncnts,  a,ndour  Threatnings,  have  been  general  J  Con- 
fequemly  our  Repentance  ihould  be  general  !  Afove- 
reign  GOD  may,  indeed  grant  Deliverance,  where   a 
general  Reformation  does  not  precede,  and  make  Judg- 
ment and  Mercy  confpire  to  promote  it ;  or  borh  thefc 
may  ferve  only  as  an  Occafion  to  prepare  us.  for   yet 
more  fevcre  Strokes,  when  the  Righteoufnefs  of  his 
Procedure  againft  us  will  be  more  manifeft,  and  we  the 
more  inexcufable.     YVc   wcre  called  to  Repentance 
by  the  laft  War,  and  fucceeding  Peace  ;  bntperfifting 
in  Impenetence?  heavier  Strokes  have  fell  upon  us ! 
POD  has  many  Arrows  in  his  Quiver  ;  and  tho'  one 
Storm  blow  over,  another  may  ai  ife,  that  will  carry 
all  before  it  i  Of  this  the  Jews  are  a  Striking  Infhnce, 
who  are  fcattered  through  the  \vh-:Je  Earth,  as  Exam- 
ples of  divine  Difpjeafure,  for  mifimpr'oving  the  re- 
peated Calls  of  Providence  !  ThcCbaldean,  the  Per/tan^ 
the  Grecian,  and  the  Roman  Empires,  that  over- top- 
ped all  the  World,  at  length  fell  for  their  Iniquities ! 
Divine  Thrcarnings  have  been  fully  executed  on  the 

noble 


r    54    3 

noble  Churches  of  dfia  !  And  has  not  the  once  famous 
Church  of  Rcme,  whofe  Faith  was  fpoken  of  through- 
out the  whole  World,  been  long  fince  enflaved  with 
pcpijb  Darkyeft  and  Tyranny  /  GOD  canea/ily  deftroy  rhe 
tritifb  Nation,  and  Church,  and  yet  fulfil  his  Promifes 
to  the  Church  in  general,  by  promoting  her  I  ate  re  (h 
more  glorioufly,  in  fome  other  Parts  of  the  World. 
O!  that  -ire,  and  our  whole  Nation,  might  folemnly  lay 
tkt/eZbiagsto  Heart,  and  turn  to  GOD  by  our  prcfent 
Calls,  that  he  msy  take  delight  to  dwell  with  us  as  a 
Church,  and  as  a  Nation. 

6.  REVELATION  and  the  Law  of  Nature  teach  us, 
that  Prayer  is  a  Duty  we  owe  to  Providence.  Ic  is  the 
common  Senfe  of  Mankind,  that  the  indigent  fhould 
ask  Favors  of  thofe  that  can  grant,  and  from  whom 
they  expect  Relief.  Much  more  fhould  we,  who  are 
funk  into  the  moft  prefling  Indigency,  and  Mifery,  ask 
,a  Supply  of  our  Wants  from  him,  who  will  not  for  a 
fifhghe  a  Serpent,  nor  for  Bead  will  he  give  a  Stone.  To 
this  we  are  encouraged  by  his  own  Declaration,  and 
Promife  ;  for  he  tells  us,  fa  is  ever  ni?h  to  all  them  that 
call  upon  kimy  that  call  upon  lo'tm  In  'Truti).  That  he  wili 
.-fulfil  ike  Defre  of  them  that  fear  him;  He  alfo  will  Lear 
Cry,  and  will  fave 


AND,  while  you  plead  for  yourfelves,  be  mindful 
.of  the  laboring  State.  Let  Ziont  the  City  of  our  Sor 
iemnities.  He  r.ear.your  Heart?.  Plead  importunately, 
that  GOD  would  heal  her  Breaches  ;  pour  down  divine 

Influences 

(w)  Pfalm  cxlv.  18,  If. 


C    $$    3 

Influences  plentifully  upon  her,  that  his  Pricfts  may  be 
clcathed  with  Salvation,  and  his  Saims  ihouc  aloud  for 
Joyfulnefs ;  that  he  would  revive  his  Work  in  the 
midft  olthcfe  declining  Years,  and  purge  out  all  the 
Impurities,  that  yet  cleve  to  the  Protcftant  Reforma- 
tion ;  that  the  Nations  of  the  Earth  might  be  made  to 
ftoopto  the  royal  Scepter  of  JF.S us  CHRIST  ;  particu- 
larly, the  Various  Indian  Bribes,  tint  have  imbrued 
their  Hands  in  our  Blood  :  And,  in  fhdrt,  that  all  the 
glorious  Things  fpoken  of  the  City  of  our  GOD,  may 
bzfpeedity  accomplished  in  their  brighteft  Gory. 

THE  Womb  of  Providence  is  big  with  Events,  more 
glorious  to  the  Church,  and  terrible  to  her  Enemies, 
than  any  flic  has  ever  yet  fcen.'  And,  perhaps  the  pre- 
fent  Motion  of  the  Wheels,  may  pave  the  Way  for  the 
Accomplifhmem  of  them.  The  Wheels  will  prefent- 
\y  move  with  dreadful  Vengeance,  to  tumble  Jnti- 
Chrififrom  hisuftsrped  Scar,  and  give  the  lirbore  of  Bz- 
\jy\onherdoubkCup!  In  Order  to  which,  what  Con- 
vulfrons  may  we  expedt  among  Natiofns  ;  for  the  4nti~ 
ent  of  Days  tvillcaft  down  the  Thrones  of  thofe  Kings(x), 
that  had  given  their  Power  to  the  Beaft  !  In  what  glo- 
rious Triumph  fhall  the  living  Creatures  then  proceed 
with  the  VY  heels,  to  deftroy  Mahometan  Delufan,  Jewijh 
Infdelify%  and  Pagan  Idolatry  I  To  carry  the  Gofpel  to 
the  remoteft  Ends  of  the  Earth,  which  fhall  Influence 
Multirudesof  all  Nations  to  flock  to  JESUS,  as  the 
Doves  to  their  Windows  !  Then  will  commence  the 

brighteft 
(x)  Daniel  vii.  9, 


[     5*     3 

brighteft  Period  of  the  militant  Churches  Glor^  ;  to 
which  Glory,  all  the  Inflaences  of  Light  and  Heat  flic 
has  hitherto  enjoyed,'  only  bear  a  Proportion,  as  the 
Light  of  the  Moon  to  the  Light  of  the  Sun,  or  the 
Light  of  one  Day  co  that  of  feven  ! 

THESE  are  Events  that  Demand  our  Attention^  and 
fliall  be  accompli/lied  as  an  Anfaer  of  Prayer.  When 
GOD  vifits  his  Church  in  a  remarkable  Minner,  he 
ufually  does  it  in  Anfwer  to  the  Prayers  of  his  People. 
The  pious  Jews  wereexpeding,  and  continually  pray- 
ing for  the  Coming  of  CHRIST,  when  he  made  his  Ap- 
pearance on  Earth.  And  may  it  not  afford  us  Ground 
of  Hope,  that  the  Dawn  of  the  forefaid  glorious  Day  is 
not  far  off,  that  fundry,  not  only  individuals,  but 
whole  Societies,  have  been  for  fome  Time  paft,  en- 
gaged in  expecting,  and  wreftling  in  Prayer  for  the 
fpeedy  Aceompliflimentof  it.  Let  us  alfo  join  our 
Mite,  and  refolve#0ffc>  ceafe^  till  the  LORD  make  Je- 
rufalem a  Praife through  the  whole  Earth,  whatfoever 
intermediate  Scenes  of  fearful  J  dgments,  he  may  fee 
neceflary  to  prepare  the  Way  for  it. 

DID  you  need  Motives  to  exciccyou  to  perform  the 
forcmentioned  very  neceflary,  and  important  Duties, 
I  might  enlarge  on  many  5.  but  hiving  already  conti- 
nued much  beyond  my  firlt  Intention,  I  can  only  take* 
Time  barely  to  Mention  the  following.  In  the  due 
Performance  of  the  Duties  you  owe  to  Providence, 
you  will  glorify  GOD  by  axfwcring  its  Calls  ;  be  ena- 
bled to  conduct  becomingly  under  the  ^icijfttndes  of  it ; 

fee 


C    57    3 

fee  more  clearly,  and  walk  more  fteadily  under  its 
frowns  ;  be  comforted  in  your  weary  Pilgrimage  tbro* 
the  World\  and  fupported  in  the  grand  Article  of  Death. 
Finally,  in  Heaven,  it  will  be  a  Part  of  your  Exercife, 
and  Happinefs,  to  review  the  feveral  Motions  of  the 
Wheels.  There  (hall  you  behold  infinite  Beauties  in 
them,  that  your  mod  penetrating  Searches  cannot  now 
difcover.  Particularly,  you  fhall  fee  with  unfpeaka- 
ble  Satisfaction,  thar,  if  one  Drop  had  been  taken  out 
of  your  Cup  of  Affliction,  Heaven  would  not  be  fo 
fwest  to  you.  Every  frefh  View  of  thefc  Things, 
will  excite  triumphant  Allelujahs  to  the  glorious  Con- 
ductor of  the  Wheels,  while  your  Hearts,  full  with 
the  Song  of  Mfes  and  the  Lamb,  fliall  inceflamly  rife 
with  your  Notes,  and  keep  Way  with  your  Voices. 

To  which  Happinefs,  may  GOD  of  his  infinite  Mer- 
cy bring  us  all,  for  CHRIST'S  Sake.    AMEN. 


FINIS. 


H 


Juft  Imported  from  LONDON,  and  tq 

be  Sold  by  the  Printer  hereof. 

A  large  and  well  forted  Collection  of  Books  and 
Stationary,  of  which  Catalogues  will  fhortly  be 
publifhed,  and  given  gratis.  Of  whom  alfo  /ray  be 
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jpEACE  and  UNION  Recommended;  and  SELF  dif- 
claim'd,  and  CHRIST  exalted :  In  two  Sermons, 
preached  at Pbitadtlpbia,  before  the  Reverend  SYNODS 
of  New-fork  and  Philadelphia  :  By  Francis  dlifon,  n.  D. 
yice-Provoft  of  the  COLLEGE,  and  Redtor  of  the 
ACADEMY,  in  Philadelphia  *t  And  Dai>idBo(lwickt  A.  M. 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church t  in  New  fork. 


l-fs 


